What is Happening in Phillipines
On December 2nd, 2023, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of at least 7.5 struck the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuations in the country. The quake, which struck at 10:37 pm local time, sent residents fleeing to higher ground amid fears of dangerous waves.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System initially warned that waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) above the tide level were possible along some coasts of the Philippines. However, the agency later said the threat had passed. Still, evacuations were ongoing in the Philippines as authorities maintained alerts about the risk of tsunamis from aftershocks.
No Reports Yet of Major Damage or Casualties
So far, there have been no initial reports of significant damage or casualties resulting from the quake, despite its strength and numerous aftershocks. The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the quake struck at a depth of 63 kilometers and was expecting some damage from the tremor.
The quake hit in a relatively rural and sparsely populated area of the southern Philippines. The coastal provinces of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental, near the quake’s epicenter, are not densely populated compared to other parts of the country. Still, disaster response teams were on alert, and local officials urged residents near the coast to evacuate inland or to higher ground immediately.
Power Outages, Structural Damage Reported in Some Areas
While no major destruction has been reported so far, the quake did cause power outages in some areas. Raymark Gentallan, the police chief of Hinatuan, a coastal town about 30 kilometers from the epicenter, said the electricity had been cut off since the earthquake hit. He said teams were evacuating people away from the coastline as a precaution.
Some residents reported structural damage to buildings and homes, including James Soria who owns a small hotel in Hinatuan. “It’s shaking again here now,” he told Reuters before getting disconnected as an aftershock rattled the region.
Photographs from Hinatuan’s local government showed large groups of residents evacuating towards higher ground, with dozens gathered in shelters. Cosme Calejesan, a resident of Surigao City about 185 kilometers from the epicenter, said his house sustained damage but was still intact. “It was frightening. It was sudden and abrupt and I was worried for my children,” he recalled.
Numerous, Strong Aftershocks Rattle the Region
The strong initial quake has been followed by over two dozen aftershocks in the region, with the largest measured at magnitude 6.5 according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The aftershocks and continuing seismic activity added to fears among local residents and officials, prompting evacuations to continue in many coastal areas.
“I was already asleep, but I was woken up by the creaking sounds of my cabinets when the tremor occurred,” said Calejesan about one of the larger aftershocks. The shaking and rattling of homes has left some residents worried about further building collapses or damage.
Philippines Prone to Earthquakes Due to Location on “Ring of Fire”
The Philippines lies along the so-called Ring of Fire, a zone around the Pacific Ocean characterized by high volcanic and seismic activity. The positioning of the islands near shifting tectonic plates and fault lines means earthquakes are unfortunately common occurrences.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at a slightly higher magnitude of 7.6, with a shallower depth of 32 kilometers (20 miles), and placed the epicenter off the coast of Davao Occidental province. The EMSC gave a depth estimate of 63 kilometers. Regardless of the exact measurements, the quake was strong enough to send shakes for hundreds of kilometers and trigger tsunami alarms from the northern Philippines to Japan.
While the damage reports remain minimal so far, authorities continued urging vigilance and preparedness by those along the coast, with aftershocks and residual seismic activity still ongoing. The full scope of damage may not be known for some time as emergency teams fan out to thoroughly assess more remote areas closer to the epicenter. For now, the top priority remains getting residents away from coastal regions at risk of tsunamis and monitoring the multitude of aftershocks rattling the region.
We will provide further updates as more information emerges about the damage, casualties, and secondary effects from the magnitude 7.5 earthquake and subsequent seismic activity in the southern Philippines. Please stay tuned for the latest developments.
