The Philippines records thousands of earthquakes every year, but only a handful are large enough to reshape communities. Since 2020, the country has been hit by several magnitude-7 and stronger earthquakes — most of them offshore in eastern Mindanao, along the deep Philippine Trench. Here are the strongest, ranked by magnitude, along with what made each one significant.
A quick note on the numbers: magnitudes below are moment magnitudes (Mw) as reported by the USGS and PHIVOLCS, and may be revised slightly as agencies refine their analysis.
The biggest quakes of the decade so far
Offshore Sarangani / Mindanao
The strongest Philippine earthquake in over a decade. It struck off Maasim, Sarangani at 7:37 AM — the first day of the school year — triggering tsunami warnings across southern Mindanao, ~1-metre waves, and over 1,100 aftershocks. At least 35 people were killed and millions of students had classes suspended.
Off Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
A major offshore quake on the Philippine Trench plate interface, off the eastern seaboard of Mindanao. It prompted tsunami warnings for Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental, forced coastal evacuations, and was followed by a long, energetic aftershock sequence.
Offshore Davao Oriental (Manay)
A doublet — a Mw 7.4 followed hours later by a ~Mw 6.8 — about 48 km northeast of Manay. Tsunami warnings covered seven provinces. At least 10 people died, more than 1,000 were injured or hospitalised, and close to 40,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Abra, Luzon
The strongest of these to strike on land and the only one in Luzon. Centred in Abra, it killed 11 people and damaged hundreds of structures across the north — including centuries-old heritage churches in Ilocos and Vigan — and was strongly felt in Metro Manila.
Masbate (Cataingan)
The strongest quake of 2020. It ruptured the Masbate segment of the Philippine Fault — producing a visible ground rupture onshore — left at least 2 dead and ~170 injured, and was the second magnitude-6+ quake to hit the same fault segment in 17 years.
What the pattern tells us
Four of the five strongest quakes since 2020 were offshore in eastern Mindanao, along or near the Philippine Trench, where the Philippine Sea Plate dives beneath the islands. That subduction zone is capable of large earthquakes and, because the ruptures are under the sea, of generating tsunamis — which is why tsunami warnings followed nearly every one of them.
The Abra and Masbate events are a different story: both were on-land quakes along active faults of the Philippine Fault System that cuts through the archipelago. They are a reminder that the danger isn't only along the coast — major faults run directly beneath populated areas, including the West Valley Fault near Metro Manila.
Stronger doesn't always mean deadlier
An earthquake's magnitude measures energy released, but its impact depends on depth, distance from people, soil, and building quality. A shallow, on-land quake can cause far more damage than a larger but deep, offshore one. That's why local intensity — how strongly shaking is actually felt — matters as much as the headline magnitude.
Track real-time quakes across the Philippines and check what's near you.
Want to be ready when the next big one hits? Read our earthquake safety guide for what to do before, during, and after a quake.
Sources: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program; PHIVOLCS earthquake primers and bulletins; ReliefWeb situation reports. Figures reflect reporting at the time and may be updated.