Earthquakes in the Philippines — December 2024

29 earthquakes were recorded in the Philippines during December 2024, an average of 0.9 per day.

29 reached magnitude 4 or above and 11 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 61 km.

The month's largest event in the Philippines was a magnitude 5.7 earthquake near Malasin, Philippines on 03 December 2024 at 18:54 UTC. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake radiates roughly 5,351 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.

That is close to the the Philippines monthly average of 33 events over the period we cover, and up from the 18 recorded the previous month.

62% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 38% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.

By band, the catalogue holds 18 in the magnitude 4 range, 11 in the magnitude 5 range.

Activity peaked on 19 December, when 6 events were recorded.

The month's largest events were M5.7 near Malasin, Philippines on 03 December at 34 km; M5.6 near Pagudpud, Philippines on 30 December at 51 km; M5.5 near Union, Philippines on 27 December at 56 km.

That is 13% below the 33 events the Philippines averages per month across the 22 months on record.