The Philippines and Indonesia have both issued tsunami alerts subsequent to a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred today. The seismic event originated off the coast of the Mindanao region in the Philippines, as reported by the country’s seismology agency. Concerns have been raised about potential tsunami waves reaching heights of up to 3m (10ft) above normal tide levels in some parts of the Philippines and up to 1m higher in regions of Indonesia and Palau.
Reports indicate that structures have been impacted in the province of Davao Oriental in the Philippines, an area still in the process of recovering from a recent 6.9 magnitude quake that resulted in casualties and the displacement of numerous individuals.
The Philippines, known for its picturesque beaches and natural attractions like the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, attracts visitors from around the world, including Britons, including diving enthusiasts.
Authorities in the Philippines have warned that initial tsunami waves could arrive within the next hour and persist for a prolonged period. Residents residing in coastal areas of affected provinces have been urged to promptly relocate to higher ground or further inland for safety. Boat owners have also been advised to secure their vessels and move them away from the shoreline.
The earthquake, with its epicenter at sea about 62 kilometers (38 miles) southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province, resulted from fault movement at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu has cautioned about potential hazardous waves within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter, with the likelihood of waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) above normal tides near the epicenter in some Philippine coastal areas. Lesser waves are possible in Indonesia and Palau.
The Philippines, a nation frequently impacted by natural calamities, is still recuperating from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30, which claimed lives and displaced thousands of individuals in Cebu province. Positioned along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the Philippines is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activities due to its location on an arc of seismic faults encircling the ocean.