Location:

Magnitude:

7.6

Time:

2 Dec 2023 14:37:04

Depth:

40.0

There are 12 swarms found nearby.

2009

PS20090521.1(98.2km)

21 May

8 hours

5 earthquakes

2014

PS20140530.1(91.5km)

30 May

5 hours

6 earthquakes

PS20140531.1(90.0km)

31 May

1 hours

9 earthquakes

2018

PS20181029.1(9.7km)

29 Oct

7 hours

5 earthquakes

2023

PS20231202.1(64.8km)

2 Dec

5 days 19 hours

107 earthquakes

S20231202.2(50.2km)

2 Dec

4 days 13 hours

158 earthquakes

S20231203.1(57.6km)

2 Dec

3 days 8 hours

49 earthquakes

S20231203.2(30.9km)

2 Dec

5 days 21 hours

67 earthquakes

S20231203.3(22.4km)

2 Dec

3 days 3 hours

41 earthquakes

PS20231212.1(44.0km)

11 Dec

14 hours

5 earthquakes

PS20231224.1(69.0km)

23 Dec

15 hours

5 earthquakes

2024

PS20240803.1(62.8km)

2 Aug

5 hours

7 earthquakes

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Magnitude 7.6 Earthquake Strikes Near Gamut, Philippines: Tectonic Setting and Regional Seismic History

On December 2, 2023, at 14:37 local time, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred 19 km east of Gamut in the Philippines at a depth of 40 km. This event stands as the strongest earthquake in the region since January 1, 2000, with its epicenter located directly at the reported site.

The Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate along the Philippine Trench to the east. This convergent boundary drives frequent seismic activity, with the archipelago experiencing numerous moderate to large earthquakes annually. The 40 km depth of the recent event places it within the upper portion of the subducting slab, consistent with intermediate-depth seismicity typical of this tectonic regime.

Geologically, the area around Gamut forms part of the tectonically active eastern margin of Mindanao. The Philippine Fault, a major left-lateral strike-slip system, runs parallel to the trench and accommodates a portion of the oblique convergence. Historical records document repeated rupture along segments of this fault and adjacent thrust systems, contributing to the region's elevated seismic hazard.

Seismic history since 2000 highlights the 2023 event as the sole magnitude 7.6 occurrence within the immediate vicinity. Prior strong events in the broader Philippine archipelago have included several magnitude 7+ earthquakes along the Philippine Trench and associated structures, underscoring persistent strain accumulation and release at the plate interface.

The combination of subduction-related thrusting and strike-slip faulting creates a complex stress field that can produce both shallow crustal and deeper intraslab earthquakes. Monitoring by regional networks continues to track aftershock sequences, which provide further data on fault geometry and rupture dynamics in this high-hazard zone.

References
USGS Earthquake Catalog (event data and regional seismicity)
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) tectonic summaries