Hazard risk

How dangerous are earthquakes in Philippines?

The strongest earthquake on record near Philippines is M7.8 (1948). Real records from USGS, NOAA and the Smithsonian - not guesses.

Strongest on record
M 7.8
1948 - 3 km W of Buga, Philippines
Quake rate nearby
~158/yr
M4+ within 500 km
Tsunamis on record
60
since 1645
Volcanoes nearby
29
within 500 km

The Philippines sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Philippine Sea and Sunda plates collide, producing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. This page pulls real records for Philippines: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.

A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Philippines.

Check Philippines hazard risk in detail

An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Philippines - or search any city or region.

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Earthquake risk in Philippines - FAQ

Is Philippines at risk of earthquakes?

Yes. On average about 158 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 500 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.8 in 1948.

What was the biggest earthquake in Philippines?

The strongest earthquake on record near Philippines is M7.8, in 1948 (3 km W of Buga, Philippines), from USGS.

Does Philippines get tsunamis?

Yes - 60 tsunamis since 1645 (most recently 2022) within 500 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 2,412 people.

How do I get earthquake warnings in Philippines?

Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.

Other hazards in Philippines

Earthquake risk in nearby countries