A significant earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale, occurred in Mindanao, Philippines on Saturday. This seismic activity, taking place at 10:37 pm off the southern coast of Mindanao, resulted in a tsunami warning being issued for the country.
The earthquake, which had a moderate depth of 32 kilometres (20 miles), raised concerns about the possibility of tsunami waves affecting the southern Philippines, as well as regions in Indonesia, Palau, and Malaysia, as reported by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.
In light of the current situation, the Philippine government kindly advises the residents of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces, located on the eastern shores of Mindanao, to promptly evacuate their homes and find higher ground or relocate to inland areas.
Intensity Curve - PC: X
The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 63 km according to the EMSC, was succeeded by a magnitude 6.4 aftershock in the southern Philippines, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Although there have been no immediate reports of substantial damage or casualties, it is worth noting that the Philippines, situated on the seismic "Ring of Fire," often encounters seismic and volcanic events.
In Japan, evacuation orders were kindly issued in Okinawa Prefecture, impacting various parts, including the entire coastal area, and kindly affecting numerous residents.
Witnesses described the earthquake as the "longest and strongest" they had ever experienced. Dyl Constantino of Siargao in northeastern Mindanao shared: "The earthquake probably lasted about four minutes. We are used to earthquakes here, but this time it was different because the door was shaking, so we were all panicking.”
CCTV cameras placed on a electricity pole captured footage of open fields shaking amidst strong earthquake in #Philippines
Long building and land can be seen shaking in a rapid movement showcasing the magnitude of #earthquake#EarthquakePH #Tsunami #earthquakephilippines pic.twitter.com/dhBNc2gExj — Gautam Varma (@IamGautamVarma) December 3, 2023
Credits: Gautam Varma (@IamGautamVarma)
Although no casualties or damage have been reported at the moment, residents are kindly advised to stay vigilant, and evacuation protocols have been put in place as a precautionary measure for possible tsunamis. Authorities are actively monitoring the coastal regions for any unforeseen occurrences.
During times of natural calamities, it is highly important for residents to remain informed and adhere to the evacuation guidelines provided by authorities in order to safeguard their safety and well-being.
Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has been closely monitoring the situation and providing updates based on the Richter Scale measurements. Additionally, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) is also providing information regarding any possible aftershocks. It is important to note that Mindanao falls within the volatile Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes. This serves as a reminder of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, particularly Okinawa Prefecture, in the past.
#Earthquake (#lindol) possibly felt 1 min 9 sec ago in #Philippines. Felt it? Tell us via:
📱https://t.co/IbUfG7TFOL
🌐https://t.co/AXvOM7I4Th
🖥https://t.co/wPtMW5ND1t
⚠ Automatic crowdsourced detection, not seismically verified yet. More info soon! pic.twitter.com/j4AtrjufTH — EMSC (@LastQuake) December 2, 2023
In conclusion, it is crucial to stay well-informed and promptly adhere to evacuation procedures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Our sincere thoughts are with those who have been affected, and we hope for a speedy recovery and a quick return to normalcy.
Ⓒ Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
