On 30 September 2025, at 9:59 PM Philippine Standard Time (PST), a strong magnitude (Mw) 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu and nearby provinces. The earthquake’s epicenter was located at 11.10°N, 124.14°E, approximately 19 km N 70° E of Bogo City, Cebu, with a depth of 5 km. Based on its location, focal mechanism, aftershock distribution and field investigation, the earthquake was generated by the Bogo Bay Fault, a newly identified northeast-trending right-lateral strike-slip fault.

Ground shaking reached PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) VIII (Very Destructive) to PEIS VII (Destructive) in the northern part of Cebu Province, while PEIS I (scarcely perceptible) was felt as far as Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. According to the NDRRMC (SitRep No. 12, 10 October 2025), the event resulted in 74 fatalities, 559 injuries, and approximately 740 damaged infrastructures.

The DOST-PHIVOLCS Quick Response Team (QRT) was deployed from 02 to 11 October 2025 to conduct field investigations and assess earthquake impacts.

An approximately 8 km-long ground rupture was mapped onshore across three barangays in Bogo City. Liquefaction was observed mainly in coastal areas of Bogo City, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and Tabogon. Earthquake-induced landslides occurred in the mountainous areas of Bogo City, Tabogon, Medellin, Sogod, Borbon, San Remigio, and Tabuelan. Sea-level disturbances were reported in coastal areas of Bogo City and Daanbantayan. Coastal uplift (~1 m) was documented in Bogo City, while subsidence was observed at Hagnaya Port, San Remigio, which led to partial submergence of structures.

The most extensive damage to structures was recorded in Bogo City, Daanbantayan, and San Remigio. The damage was primarily attributed to poor engineering practices and substandard construction materials, compounded by ground motion amplification and liquefaction effects.

The team also provided information and technical recommendations to stakeholders, including national and local government units, media, educational institutions, and the general public, and installed temporary seismic stations to monitor aftershocks.

For more details, download the poster: https://bit.ly/2025-NorthernCebuEarthquake