A major 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Thursday, sending powerful tremors across the region and prompting immediate tsunami warnings for coastal areas.
The quake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres according to the United States Geological Survey, has put emergency services on high alert across the Pacific region. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has issued urgent tsunami advisories for communities along coastal Mindanao.
Immediate Regional Impact
Initial reports indicate significant shaking was felt across multiple provinces, with residents reporting violent tremors that lasted for several seconds. The earthquake's epicentre was located approximately 50 kilometres southeast of General Santos, a major urban centre in Mindanao.
"We felt very strong shaking that lasted about 30 seconds," reported one resident from Davao City. "People ran out of buildings and there was momentary panic as we remembered previous major quakes in the region."
Pacific-Wide Tsunami Alert
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued precautionary statements for coastal areas within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. While initial assessments suggest limited tsunami threat, authorities are taking no chances given the region's tragic history with earthquake-generated waves.
Critical updates include:
- Evacuation orders for low-lying coastal communities in Mindanao
- Shipping and fishing vessels advised to remain offshore
- Emergency response teams deployed to coastal areas
- International monitoring stations tracking wave activity across the Pacific
Regional Seismic History
Mindanao lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area notorious for frequent seismic activity. The region has experienced several devastating earthquakes in recent decades, including a 7.6 magnitude quake in 1989 that generated significant tsunami waves.
Emergency services across the Philippines remain on high alert as aftershocks continue to rattle the region. Damage assessment teams are being deployed to determine the full extent of the earthquake's impact on infrastructure and communities.
The situation remains developing, with authorities urging residents to follow official guidance and avoid coastal areas until the tsunami threat has been fully assessed and cleared.
