Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits Mindanao, Philippines, 6.3 Quake Hits Kermadec Islands

Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits Mindanao, Philippines

Rishav Kothari

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 struck Mindanao, Philippines, at 04:14 UTC (12:14 LT) on August 5, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles).

The epicenter was located 32 km (20 miles) SW of Sarangani (population 7 506), 72 km (45 miles) S of Glan (population 24 256), 88 km (54 miles) S of Malapatan (population 19 439), 91 km (57 miles) SSW of Caburan (population 12 618), and 155 km (96 miles) SSE of Koronadal (population 195 398), Philippines.

15 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 88 000 moderate, and 5.4 million light. Approximately 600 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are unknown/miscellaneous types and heavy wood frame construction, according to USGS.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

The earthquake struck the same general area affected by the destructive M7.8 Offshore Sarangani earthquake on June 8, 2026. That event was followed by M6.1, M6.0, and M6.5 earthquakes within approximately 80 minutes.

Additional strong earthquakes struck the area on June 26 (M6.5) and July 14 (M6.2), with the July 14 epicenter located approximately 19 km (12 miles) from the August 5 epicenter, according to current USGS.

M6.3 earthquake hits south of the Kermadec Islands

Rishav Kothari

A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 struck south of the Kermadec Islands at 07:43 UTC on August 5, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 226.1 km (140.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 226 km (140.4 miles). The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses.

The epicenter was located 435 km (270 miles) NNE of Hicks Bay (population 1 389), 513 km (318 miles) NNE of Whakatane (population 18 602), 516 km (321 miles) ENE of Whangarei (population 50 900), 524 km (326 miles) NNE of Tauranga (population 155 200), and 531 km (330 miles) NE of Orewa (population 11 790), New Zealand.

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.