The Philippine archipelago is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.

The 6.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to have occurred at 4:03:53 p.m. (16:03:53 UTC+8) and determined it to be of tectonic origin.

A ground rupture was recorded in Barangay Tongonan in Ormoc which was described by the Department of Science and Technology as the epicenter area of the quake.

[7] The Department of Public Works and Highways Leyte Fourth Engineering District announced on July 10, 2017, that they estimate that at least ₱271 million of damage was caused by the earthquake.

[13][14] Residents in barangays Lake Danao and Tongonan in Ormoc were ordered to evacuate due to those localities being situated directly on the path of the Philippine Fault line.