A major quake measuring magnitude-7.1 on the Richter scale rocked Mindanao before noon yesterday, triggering a tsunami warning off the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded the strong earthquake at 11:39 a.m.
Its epicenter was located 162 kilometers southeast of Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental.
It was tectonic in origin, caused by ground shaking primarily due to the sudden movement in the Earth’s plates.
The earthquake was measured at a depth of 49 kilometers, thus the strong shaking. Phivolcs said aftershocks are expected.
Around noon yesterday, the United States-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning as “hazardous tsunami waves from the 7.1-magnitude earthquake are possible along the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines.”
Phivolcs said “minor sea level disturbances such as strong currents and rapid rise and fall of seawaters are expected.”
It advised the public to be on alert for unusual waves. People were also advised to stay away from the beach and not to go to the coast fronting Philippine Sea in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
People whose houses are located very near the coastline of these provinces were further advised to move farther inland.
“Owners of boats in harbors, estuaries, or shallow coastal water of the concerned provinces should secure their boats and move away from the water front. Boats already at sea during this period (12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday) should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised,” Phivolcs said.
Based on the tsunami wave models and early tide gauge records of the tsunami in the Philippine Sea, Phivolcs said coastal areas in the provinces fronting the Pacific Ocean are likely to experience wave heights of up to one meter above the normal tide levels.
“The first tsunami waves will arrive between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and may not be the largest. These waves may continue for hours,” Phivolcs said.
No casualties or damage have so far been reported and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted later its warning for a tsunami.
Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the quake doesn’t have a potential to cause a tsunami affecting Indonesia. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)
