What Happened?

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck offshore in the southern Philippines on Friday, December 1, 2023. The quake originated in waters off Manay town, Davao Oriental province, in the Mindanao region. Phivolcs, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, warned of potential aftershocks.

Tsunami Warnings and Response

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued warnings indicating potential waves of 1 to 3 meters in height. While the tsunami threat for the Philippines was later declared to have passed around noon local time, warnings from other agencies remained in effect. Authorities urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate inland or seek higher ground. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also issued a threat for coasts within 300 km (186 miles) of the epicenter.

Casualties and Damage

As of initial reports, at least one person has been confirmed dead, according to civil defense official Raffy Alejandro via Facebook. Reports from disaster offices in the region indicate initial damage to homes, buildings, and bridges in Manay. A full assessment of the damage is ongoing.

Seismic context: The Ring of Fire

The Philippines is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent seismic activity. The country experiences over 800 earthquakes annually. This recent 7.4 magnitude quake is among the strongest to hit the Philippines in recent years.

Recent Seismic Activity in the Philippines

This earthquake occurred just two weeks after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck offshore near Cebu island, resulting in 74 fatalities – the deadliest quake in the country in over a decade.