An offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Davao Oriental province in the Mindanao region of the Philippines on Friday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs reported that the quake occurred at 9:43 a.m. local time (0143 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers, approximately 62 kilometers east of Manay. Initial readings from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) placed the magnitude at 7.4, later upgraded to 7.6 by Phivolcs.
Authorities warned of potential tsunami waves and aftershocks following the powerful tectonic event. The US Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves could affect coastal areas within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol confirmed that a tsunami warning was issued soon after the quake, forecasting one-meter-high waves along the Pacific coast within two hours. Residents in coastal zones were urged to evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland.
As of now, no immediate damage or casualties have been reported. The Philippines frequently experiences seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
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