Two formidable earthquakes have rocked Mindanao, the Philippines’ second-largest island, raising initial concerns about a potential “destructive tsunami.” The US Geological Survey recorded the first tremor late on Saturday, measuring it at a magnitude of 7.6, followed shortly by a second quake registering at 6.4.
Contrastingly, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported the quakes at 7.4 and 6.1 magnitudes. Although there were initial fears of a tsunami, the US Tsunami Warning System later declared that the threat had passed, stating that only minor sea level fluctuations might occur in some coastal areas.
Residents of coastal areas in Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental were initially advised to evacuate to higher ground after the first earthquake struck around 22:37 local time (14:37 GMT) off Mindanao’s eastern coast. Witnessed scenes included people in several towns near the epicenter rushing out of buildings, patients being evacuated from hospitals, and crowds gathering at evacuation centers in the Hinatuan municipality.
In Japan, located northeast of the Philippines, tsunami waves of up to 0.4m (1.3ft) were observed on some outlying islands. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries in either the Philippines or Japan.
Both the Philippines and Japan are situated within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region characterized by intense seismic activity and home to one of the world’s most active fault lines. As seismic events unfold, authorities and residents in these areas remain vigilant to ensure public safety. Source – BBC
