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6.2 Magnitude Quake Strikes Philippine Sea, Tsunami Risk Explained

A significant magnitude 6.2 earthquake rattled the Philippine Sea, occurring at a depth of 85 kilometers. The region sits on the volatile boundary between the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate within the Pacific Ring of Fire. A geology professor explains that such quakes result from the release of built-up stress along massive tectonic faults. He further details how offshore fault displacement can vertically uplift the seafloor, potentially generating tsunamis.

Key Points: 6.2 Earthquake Hits Philippine Sea | Ring of Fire Activity

  • Magnitude 6.2 quake at 85km depth
  • Located in Philippine Sea Plate boundary
  • Part of active Pacific Ring of Fire
  • Expert details tsunami generation mechanisms
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 6.2 rattles Philippine Sea

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Philippine Sea at 85km depth. Expert explains the tectonic risks and tsunami potential in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

"Each earthquake is a manifestation of the periodic release of the stress along long fractures on these plates. - John Dale B Dianala"

Philippine Sea, January 7

An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 rattled the Philippine Sea, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 85km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 6.2, On: 07/01/2026 08:33:00 IST, Lat: 7.27 N, Long: 126.87 E, Depth: 85 Km, Location: Philippine Sea."

The Philippine Sea borders the Philippines to its east, but it's a vast part of the western Pacific Ocean, with its floor being the Philippine Sea Plate; while the Philippines has sovereign rights over its adjacent waters (the West Philippine Sea within the South China Sea), the broader Philippine Sea is a large oceanic basin shared with other nations like Japan and Taiwan.

The Philippines lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic belt of volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches in the Pacific Ocean.

John Dale B Dianala, assistant professor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences, the University of the Philippines in Diliman, told Al Jazeera that just by virtue of the geographic and geologic setting of the country, the Philippines is home to many onshore and offshore tectonic faults.

"The whole length of the Philippines, around 1,800km, is right along the boundary of two major tectonic plates - the Philippine Sea plate and Eurasian plate - part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire. These two plates, thousands of kilometres wide, have been pushing against each other for millions of years at two to three times the rate of fingernail growth," he said.

"Each earthquake is a manifestation of the periodic release of the stress along long fractures on these plates - what geologists call 'faults' - which rupture several metres of movement along a fault in large earthquakes," he further told Al Jazeera.

"When the displacement involves vertical uplift of the seafloor from an offshore fault, like in the Philippine Trench to the east of the country, the movement displaces the water column from the depths of the ocean that then propagate to the surface and coasts in the form of tsunamis. Strong shaking can also cause submarine landslides that can also trigger tsunamis," he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The professor's explanation about the plates moving at "two to three times the rate of fingernail growth" really puts things in perspective. Nature's power is humbling. Hope there was no tsunami threat for the Philippines.
D
David E
Interesting read. The article clarifies the difference between the Philippine Sea and the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) well. The geology is complex but the writing makes it accessible.
A
Aman W
With a 6.2 magnitude, it's a significant quake. Thankfully it was in the sea. It's a reminder for all countries in the region, including India, to invest in early warning systems and disaster-resilient infrastructure. We can't stop earthquakes, but we can be better prepared.
S
Sneha F
The part about submarine landslides triggering tsunamis is scary. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami is a painful memory. My thoughts are with people in the coastal regions there. Stay safe.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while the geological info is good, the article could have included more about the immediate impact. Were any tremors felt on land? Any advisories issued? That's what most readers want to know first.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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