An offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck off the coast of Davao Oriental, a southern province of the Philippines, on Friday morning. The quake prompted warnings of a potential hazardous tsunami in nearby areas, leaving residents anxious and authorities on high alert.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the earthquake occurred due to a shallow fault movement at a depth of 10 kilometres. It was centred approximately 62 kilometres southeast of Manay town. Authorities have warned of possible damage and strong aftershocks following this significant tremor.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu issued a statement indicating that hazardous waves could materialize within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. They estimated that some Philippine coasts might experience waves rising up to 3 metres above normal tide levels. Additionally, smaller tsunami waves may also affect Indonesia and Palau.
This earthquake occurs as the Philippines grapples with the aftermath of a previous magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on September 30, killing at least 74 people and displacing thousands in the central province of Cebu. The disaster particularly impacted Bogo city and surrounding towns, raising concerns about the resilience of affected communities.
As one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, the Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, which is notorious for frequent seismic activity. The nation also endures about 20 typhoons and storms annually, emphasizing the importance of disaster preparedness and effective emergency response from both governmental and volunteer organizations.
In light of the recent developments, authorities have urged residents residing near the coastline to stay vigilant and adhere to evacuation protocols. They stress the importance of following updates and instructions from local disaster agencies until the tsunami threat diminishes.
