7.6 magnitude earthquake south of Philippines

A series of four earthquakes have been reported by the US Geological Survey though no tsunami warnings have been declared.

Over the course of about 60 minutes, a series of four strong earthquakes rattled the southern Philippines with the strongest of the quakes reaching a magnitude of 7.6, according to information from the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenters of the quakes were about 100 kilometers or 66 miles off the coast of the Philippines and 950 kilometers or 590 miles southeast of Manila, the Philippine capital.

The earthquakes occurred in the Moro Gulf between 8.08pm and 9.15pm local time Friday. The first three earthquakes registered at around 7.3 to 7.6 magnitude while the fourth was a magnitude of 5.4.

The fourth quake was also the deepest at 382 miles (616 kilometers).

No tsunami warnings were issued and there were no immediate reports of injuries or death.

-- Agencies 2010-07-24

Three strong earthquakes rock southern Philippines

MANILA: -- Three strong earthquakes rocked the southern Philippines early Saturday but the origins of the tremors were too deep below the sea to cause damage or injuries, a government agency said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the first tremor was recorded early Saturday with a magnitude of 6.9, the second registered 6.7, while the third reached 7.1.

The agency said the strong earthquakes occurred at intervals of about one hour, with epicentres located between 94 and 98 kilometres south-west of Cotabato City, 960 kilometres south of Manila.

The quakes were tectonic in origin, the institute said.

Renato Solidum, the head of Phivolcs, said the depth of the three earthquakes was between 570 and 630 kilometres below sea level, too deep to cause damage or tsunamis.

"Essentially, (in a) large-magnitude earthquake, which would come from a very deep source, the shaking it would generate at the surface will be much less because (of) the thick pile of rock that the energy will encounter as it moves into the surface. So it will not be damaging," he said.

"There will be no tsunami generated by these events," he added. The institute said the earthquakes were felt in some areas throughout the country at low intensities.

-- The Nation 2010-07-24