A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The earthquake occurred at 11:02 a.m. local time at a depth of 42 kilometers, with the epicentre about 47 kilometres from the coastal town of Manay. Tremors were felt across the island, and the institute expects aftershocks and damage, particularly in areas near the epicentre. Although there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the Philippines is highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate interact, creating immense underground pressure. This region has experienced frequent and severe earthquakes, including a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in October 2025 that caused extensive damage and numerous casualties, and a 5.7-magnitude earthquake on December 22, 2025. The country’s unique ‘double subduction’ setting, where the Philippine Sea Plate is being forced beneath the Philippine Microplate and the Eurasian Plate subducts beneath the islands, contributes to its high seismic activity.
