A powerful earthquake, with a magnitude of at least 7.5, rocked the southern region of Mindanao in the Philippines on Saturday night, prompting tsunami warnings across the region and leading to widespread evacuations.
Tsunami Threat and Evacuations
Initial reports indicated a tsunami threat, with the U.S. Tsunami Warning System initially warning of waves up to 3 meters high. However, they later retracted the tsunami threat. Despite this, evacuations continued across affected areas in the Philippines, particularly in the provinces of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) maintained a tsunami alert, advising residents in coastal areas to evacuate or move inland.
Aftershocks and Impact
The region experienced over two dozen aftershocks, with the largest recorded at magnitude 6.5. There were no initial reports of significant damage or casualties, but concerns about aftershocks and potential damage remain. In Japan, waves of 40 cm were observed on Hachijojima island, located 290 km south of Tokyo.
Personal Accounts and Responses
Local authorities and residents responded quickly to the crisis. Raymark Gentallan, police chief of Hinatuan, reported power outages and ongoing evacuations. Residents like James Soria and Cosme Calejesan shared personal experiences of the quake’s impact on their properties and the fear it induced. Social media posts depicted residents and vehicles moving towards higher ground and occupying shelters.
Geological Context
The Philippines is part of the “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. This quake was reported by the EMSC to have a depth of 63 km, while the U.S. Geological Survey recorded a slightly different magnitude of 7.6 and a depth of 32 km.
Conclusion
The situation in the Philippines remains tense as authorities and residents deal with the aftermath of the quake and the ongoing risk of aftershocks. Emergency services are on high alert, and the global community watches closely as the situation unfolds.
Also learn about Massive Antarctic Iceberg Heads for South Atlantic.
