Villagers Flee Homes As Magnitude 7.6 Quake Hit Southern Philippines

Villagers flee from their residences in Surigao del Sur in the southern portion of the Philippines following a powerful earthquake that struck the province.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that at 10:37 PM Philippine Standard Time (PST) on December 2, (Saturday), a major earthquake with magnitude 7.4 jolted Surigao del Sur as well as the large portion of Mindanao.

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Powerful Quake Hits Surigao del Sur

The earthquake has an epicenter located 29 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, and has an estimated depth of 26 kilometers.

Authorities said that the earthquake was associated with the subduction along the Philippine Trench.

As of 1:00 PM PST on December 3, the DOST-PHIVOLCS Philippine Seismic Network (PSN) has recorded a total of 819 aftershocks ranging from Ms 1.4 to Ms 6.2.

They said that using the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS), the highest reported intensity is PEIS VII (Destructive) which was felt in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur based on the DOST-PHIVOLCS Earthquake Information 3.

Furthermore, it was noted that at PEIS VII, many people are frightened and may have ran outdoors to ensure their safety.

Unfortunately, heavy objects and furniture overturn or topple, leading to massive destruction in the area. Local officials also said that big church bells may have rung due to the strong earthquake.

Old or poorly built structures suffer considerable damage while some well-built structures are slightly damaged.

Moreover, cracks may appear on dikes, fish ponds, road surfaces, or concrete hollow block walls. Limited liquefaction, lateral spreading, and landslides are observed, with trees had strongly shaken.

Philippine authorities said that a pregnant woman died while at least four people were injured in the quake.

The country's defense chief, Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, also disclosed that at least 529 families have been affected following the powerful earthquake.

Tsunami Warning Lifted

Initially, a tsunami warning was issued by DOST-PHIVOLCS for the coastal areas of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental.

According to a Tsunami Information No. 1, wave heights of more than one meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits may be experienced.

Experts said that at 3:23 AM, DOST-PHIVOLCS issued a cancellation of tsunami warning after confirming that a tsunami occurred with preliminary wave heights of 0.64 meters in Mawes Island, Hinatuan, 0.18 meters in Lawigan, Bislig City, 0.05 meters in Port of Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and 0.08 meters in Mati, Davao Oriental.

Officials said that Surigao del Sur and neighboring provinces experience earthquakes as they are situated in one of the seismically active regions in the archipelago.

The presence of active faults and trenches, such as the Philippine Fault and its segments, as well as the Philippine Trench, plays a significant role in generating seismic events.

On the other hand, there are local faults in proximity, some potentially buried by recent deposits capable of generating minor to strong earthquakes.

Authorities warned that earthquake-induced landslides, rock falls, and other types of mass movement may occur on sloping terrains, specifically in mountainous or hilly areas.

Moreover, liquefaction effects, manifested by subsidence, ground fissures, sand boils, lateral spreads, and/or flotation of buoyant structures may affect low-lying, water-saturated, and sandy areas near water bodies.