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. This incident has prompted crucial warnings of a potential hazardous tsunami in nearby areas.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the earthquake occurred due to a shallow fault movement at a depth of 10 kilometers. The quake was centred approximately 62 kilometers southeast of Manay town. Authorities have raised concerns over possible damage and significant aftershocks following the initial tremor.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, situated in Honolulu, communicated that hazardous waves could affect regions within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. Some coastal areas of the Philippines might face waves soaring up to 3 metres above normal tide levels. Furthermore, smaller tsunami waves might also impact countries like Indonesia and Palau.
This seismic event adds to the Philippines’ challenges as the nation continues to recover from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that occurred on September 30, which tragically resulted in the loss of at least 74 lives and displaced thousands in the central province of Cebu, especially affecting Bogo city and surrounding territories.
The Philippines, noted as one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, resides on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” renowned for its frequent seismic activity. The nation also endures about 20 typhoons and storms annually, emphasizing the necessity for robust disaster preparedness and response measures from both governmental and volunteer organizations.
As the situation evolves, authorities advise coastal residents to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation protocols until the tsunami threat diminishes. They stress the importance of immediate response to alerts, highlighting the need for preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
