Real-time earthquake monitor ·
USGS data
This major M7.8 earthquake was a shallow-focus event, striking at 57 km beneath Kablalan, Philippines. Major earthquakes at this magnitude cause severe shaking over a wide area, with potential for significant structural damage to buildings and infrastructure not built to modern seismic codes.
At 57 km depth, this falls within the shallow-focus category. The relatively near-surface location means shaking at the epicenter may be more intense than deeper events of comparable magnitude.