Major Earthquake Strikes Off The Philippines, Tsunami Warnings Issued

[News_Editor]

Major earthquake strikes off the Philippines, tsunami warnings issued < br />

2012-08-31 20:17:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

GUIUAN, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- A major earthquake struck off the Philippines on Friday evening, prompting a tsunami warning for several countries, seismologists said. It was not immediately known if there were damage or casualties, or if a tsunami was generated.

The 7.9-magnitude earthquake at 8:47 p.m. local time (1247 GMT) was centered about 106 kilometers (66 miles) east-southeast of Guiuan, a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar in the Philippines. It struck about 34.9 kilometers (21.7 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center immediately issued a regional tsunami warning, although it was not immediately known if a destructive tsunami was generated. A tsunami warning is in effect for Indonesia, the Philippines, Belau, Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Papua New Guinea.

"It is not known that a tsunami was generated. This warning is based only on the earthquake evaluation," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours."

It added: "Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility. This center will monitor sea level data from gauges near the earthquake to determine if a tsunami was generated and estimate the severity of the threat."

A tsunami watch was also issued for Chuuk, the Japanese coral atoll Marcus Island, Kosrae, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, Wake Island, the Solomon Islands, Russia and Nauru. "Bulletins will be issued hourly or sooner if conditions warrant," the center said. "The tsunami warning and watch will remain in effect until further notice."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-08-31

[churchill]

Tsunami alert after earthquake off Philippines

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19435229

[churchill]

'The tsunami watch has been canceled for the State of Hawaii effective at 3:31 am HST. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, based on all available data there is no destructive tsunami threat to Hawaii. A tsunami warning remains in effect for the Philippines, Palau and Indonesia.'

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/19427113/tsunami-watch-canceled-for-hawaii

[cdnvic]

UPDATE 2 -- Major earthquake strikes off the Philippines, tsunami warnings issued < br />

2012-08-31 20:53:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

(Eds: Tsunami warning canceled for several regions; adds details throughout.)

GUIUAN, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the Philippines on Friday evening, prompting a tsunami warning for several countries, seismologists and officials said. It was not immediately known if it caused damage or casualties, or if a tsunami was generated.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake at 8:47 p.m. local time (1247 GMT) was centered about 112 kilometers (69 miles) east of Guiuan, a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar in the Philippines. It struck about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center immediately issued a regional tsunami warning, although it was not immediately known if a destructive tsunami was generated. A tsunami warning is in effect for Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Pacific island nation of Palau, but tsunami warnings earlier issued for Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Papua New Guinea have since been canceled.

"It is not known that a tsunami was generated. This warning is based only on the earthquake evaluation," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours."

A tsunami watch was initially also issued for islands and countries in the region, including Chuuk, the Japanese coral atoll Marcus Island, Kosrae, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, Wake Island, the Solomon Islands, Russia, Nauru and the U.S. state of Hawaii. They were later canceled based on new information from seismologists.

"Based on all available data there is no destructive tsunami threat to the state of Hawaii. Therefore the tsunami watch for Hawaii is canceled," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a message to the state's Civil Defense. "However, some coastal areas in Hawaii could experience small non-destructive sea level changes and strong or unusual currents lasting up to several hours."

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the strength of the earthquake at 7.9, but the magnitude was later revised down to 7.6. The agency estimated the depth of the earthquake to be approximately 39.9 kilometers (21.7 miles), making it a shallow earthquake.

USGS computer models estimated some 117,000 people living in coastal areas near the epicenter may have experienced strong shaking, which could potentially result in light to moderate damage. More than 18.5 million people may have felt light to moderate tremors, the agency said.

The Philippines is on the so-called 'Pacific Ring of Fire', an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin which is prone to frequent and large earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions also occur frequently in the region.

In July 1990, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the densely populated island of Luzon, killing at least 2,412 people and injuring thousands more. It was one of the most deadliest earthquakes in the Philippines in recent history.

Only more deadly was an enormous 8.1-magnitude earthquake in August 1976 which shook Mindanao island and had its epicenter in the Moro Gulf. It caused a destructive tsunami in the Celebes Sea, causing devastation in settlements along the coast of the Moro Gulf on Mindanao island and on the nearby Sulu Islands.

The 1976 earthquake was felt on all of the central islands of the Philippines Archipelago and in the southern part of Luzon. As a result of the earthquake and tsunami, more than 8,000 people were killed or left missing, 10,000 were injured, and 90,000 were left homeless.

-- thaivisa.com © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-08-31

[News_Editor]

UPDATE 3 -- Major earthquake strikes off the Philippines, tsunami warnings issued < br />

2012-08-31 21:06:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

(Eds: Adds details from the Philippines government.)

GUIUAN, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the Philippines on Friday evening, prompting a tsunami warning for several countries, seismologists and officials said. It was not immediately known if it caused damage or casualties, or if a tsunami was generated.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake at 8:47 p.m. local time (1247 GMT) was centered about 112 kilometers (69 miles) east of Guiuan, a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar in the Philippines. It struck about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

PHIVOLCS issued a level 3 tsunami alert for coastal areas in several provinces, warning residents of high tsunami waves and urging them to move to higher ground. The evacuation of coastal areas was ordered in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

"People in threatened coastal areas are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds," PHIVOLCS said in a bulletin. "Coastal areas in the [named] provinces are expected to be affected by high tsunami waves. Boats at sea are advised to stay in the deeper parts of the open seas until the threat has passed. If there is sufficient time, boats in harbors and enclosed bays are advised to go to the deeper parts of the open seas until the threat has passed."

While it was not immediately known if a destructive tsunami was generated, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also issued a regional tsunami warning. A tsunami warning is in effect for Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Pacific island nation of Palau, but tsunami warnings earlier issued for Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Papua New Guinea have since been canceled.

"It is not known that a tsunami was generated. This warning is based only on the earthquake evaluation," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin. "An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours."

A tsunami watch was initially also issued for islands and countries in the region, including Chuuk, the Japanese coral atoll Marcus Island, Kosrae, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, Wake Island, the Solomon Islands, Russia, Nauru and the U.S. state of Hawaii. They were later canceled based on new information from seismologists.

"Based on all available data there is no destructive tsunami threat to the state of Hawaii. Therefore the tsunami watch for Hawaii is canceled," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a message to the state's Civil Defense. "However, some coastal areas in Hawaii could experience small non-destructive sea level changes and strong or unusual currents lasting up to several hours."

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the strength of the earthquake at 7.9, but the magnitude was later revised down to 7.6. The agency estimated the depth of the earthquake to be approximately 39.9 kilometers (21.7 miles), making it a shallow earthquake.

USGS computer models estimated some 117,000 people living in coastal areas near the epicenter may have experienced strong shaking, which could potentially result in light to moderate damage. More than 18.5 million people may have felt light to moderate tremors, the agency said.

The Philippines is on the so-called 'Pacific Ring of Fire', an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin which is prone to frequent and large earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions also occur frequently in the region.

In July 1990, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the densely populated island of Luzon, killing at least 2,412 people and injuring thousands more. It was one of the most deadliest earthquakes in the Philippines in recent history.

Only more deadly was an enormous 8.1-magnitude earthquake in August 1976 which shook Mindanao island and had its epicenter in the Moro Gulf. It caused a destructive tsunami in the Celebes Sea, causing devastation in settlements along the coast of the Moro Gulf on Mindanao island and on the nearby Sulu Islands.

The 1976 earthquake was felt on all of the central islands of the Philippines Archipelago and in the southern part of Luzon. As a result of the earthquake and tsunami, more than 8,000 people were killed or left missing, 10,000 were injured, and 90,000 were left homeless.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-08-31

[george]

Philippines quake: tsunami expected in 2 hours. People in coastal areas facing Pacific Ocean being asked to evacuate to higher ground /CNN

[News_Editor]

UPDATE 4 -- Powerful quake off Philippines triggers small tsunami < br />

2012-08-31 22:02:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

(Eds: Adds details from the Philippines government.)

GUIUAN, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the Philippines on Friday evening, prompting a tsunami warning for several countries, seismologists and officials said. A small tsunami was generated, but it was not immediately known if the quake caused damage or casualties.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake at 8:47 p.m. local time (1247 GMT) was centered about 112 kilometers (69 miles) east of Guiuan, a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar in the Philippines. It struck about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

PHIVOLCS issued a level 3 tsunami alert for coastal areas in several provinces, warning residents of high tsunami waves and urging them to move to higher ground. The evacuation of coastal areas was ordered in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

"People in threatened coastal areas are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds," PHIVOLCS said in a bulletin. "Coastal areas in the [named] provinces are expected to be affected by high tsunami waves. Boats at sea are advised to stay in the deeper parts of the open seas until the threat has passed. If there is sufficient time, boats in harbors and enclosed bays are advised to go to the deeper parts of the open seas until the threat has passed."

Only small tsunami waves were recorded about two hours after the earthquake struck, but a tsunami warning remains in effect for the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Pacific island nation of Palau. Tsunami warnings earlier issued for Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Papua New Guinea have since been canceled.

"Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami was generated. This tsunami may have been destructive along coastlines of the region near the earthquake epicenter," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin. It said it recorded minor tsunami waves of about 3 centimeters (1.1 inch) in two locations, but tsunamis normally grow in size near shallow waters.

"When no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can assume the threat is passed," the center said. "Danger to boats and coastal structures can continue for several hours due to rapid currents."

A tsunami watch was initially also issued for other islands and countries in the region, including Chuuk, the Japanese coral atoll Marcus Island, Kosrae, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, Wake Island, the Solomon Islands, Russia, Nauru and the U.S. state of Hawaii. They were later canceled based on new information from seismologists.

"Based on all available data there is no destructive tsunami threat to the state of Hawaii. Therefore the tsunami watch for Hawaii is canceled," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a message to the state's Civil Defense. "However, some coastal areas in Hawaii could experience small non-destructive sea level changes and strong or unusual currents lasting up to several hours."

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the strength of the earthquake at 7.9, but the magnitude was later revised down to 7.6. The agency estimated the depth of the earthquake to be approximately 39.9 kilometers (21.7 miles), making it a shallow earthquake.

USGS computer models estimated some 117,000 people living in coastal areas near the epicenter may have experienced strong shaking, which could potentially result in light to moderate damage. More than 18.5 million people may have felt light to moderate tremors, the agency said.

Philippines President Benigno Aquino III instructed officials to ensure that emergency evacuations in the affected areas be peaceful and orderly, his spokesperson said in a statement. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman also said its offices in the region are ready to deliver food packages if needed.

The Philippines is on the so-called 'Pacific Ring of Fire', an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin which is prone to frequent and large earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions also occur frequently in the region.

In July 1990, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the densely populated island of Luzon, killing at least 2,412 people and injuring thousands more. It was one of the most deadliest earthquakes in the Philippines in recent history.

Only more deadly was an enormous 8.1-magnitude earthquake in August 1976 which shook Mindanao island and had its epicenter in the Moro Gulf. It caused a destructive tsunami in the Celebes Sea, causing devastation in settlements along the coast of the Moro Gulf on Mindanao island and on the nearby Sulu Islands.

The 1976 earthquake was felt on all of the central islands of the Philippines Archipelago and in the southern part of Luzon. As a result of the earthquake and tsunami, more than 8,000 people were killed or left missing, 10,000 were injured, and 90,000 were left homeless.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-08-31

[george]

UPDATE:

All tsunami warnings cancelled following 7.6 magnitude earthquake off East coast of the Philippines /Sky News

[george]

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifts tsunami warning for Philippines, Indonesia and Belau, after 7.6 magnitude quake. /BNO News

[jcw]

Looking at the map, if it is (hypothetical and not this quake) to the west of the Philippines, then comes up the Thai gulf, it will be a real mess up towards the end near Pattaya, BK and around to Hua Hin. It has no where to go except up and in.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-31/tsunami-warning-issued-after-quake-hits-off-philippines/4237556

What do you think?

[Baxer]

Looking at the map, if it is (hypothetical and not this quake) to the west of the Philippines, then comes up the Thai gulf, it will be a real mess up towards the end near Pattaya, BK and around to Hua Hin. It has no where to go except up and in.

http://www.abc.net.a...ippines/4237556

What do you think?

It's very unlikely to happen, this is a map of quakes in the area for the last 30 days, as you see there is no quakes at the western side of the Philippines.

[Scott]

UPDATE 5 -- Powerful quake off Philippines triggers small tsunami, kills 1 < br />

2012-09-01 06:01:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

GUIUAN, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of the Philippines on Friday evening, killing at least one person in a landslide and generating a small tsunami which caused no damage, emergency officials said on Saturday.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake at 8:47 p.m. local time (1247 GMT) was centered about 112 kilometers (69 miles) east of Guiuan, a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar in the Philippines. It struck about 45 kilometers (27.9 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Shaking was felt widely through large parts of the Philippines, including the capital Manila which is nearly 750 kilometers (466 miles) northwest of the epicenter, but the intensity was mostly light to moderate. Few damage was immediately reported, but more detailed reports are expected later on Saturday.

Benito Ramos, the Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said one fatality was reported as of 2 a.m. local time on Saturday. He said national emergency services and other organizations were placed on heightened alert to assist with evacuations and possible rescue operations.

The casualty was reported in Cagayan de Oro, the provincial capital of Misamis Oriental, where an earthquake-triggered landslide buried a house owned by 48-year-old Danilo Ubalde. Ramos said the man's wife, 44-year-old Elenita Ubalde, and grandson, 5-year-old Adrian Rosales, were inside.

"The victims were brought to the Capitol University Hospital but Elenita Ubalde was declared dead on arrival while Adrian Rosales is still undergoing treatment for injuries," Ramos said. He said five houses in the city were also damaged by flash floods which were caused by the tremors.

In Bunawan, a municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur, a house caught fire when a gas lamp fell during the earthquake. Minor damage was reported in Davao City, the largest city on the island of Mindanao, where the Abreeza Mall of Bajada suffered minor cracks on its floor. Two bridges were damaged in Eastern Samar province where authorities also reported a large power outage.

Philippines President Benigno Aquino III instructed officials to ensure that emergency evacuations in the affected areas be peaceful and orderly, his spokesperson said in a statement. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman also said its offices in the region are ready to deliver food packages if needed.

Catastrophe modeling company EQECAT, in a preliminary assessment, estimated that insured losses are expected to be little to none because strong shaking was limited to remote and rural islands in the eastern part of the Philippines. "Limited damage can be expected to vulnerable buildings on the islands closest to the epicenter, which experienced moderate to strong shaking," the company said.

EQECAT said the earthquake occurred on a segment of the Philippine Sea Trench which has no historic record of major earthquakes, although the segment to the north of it experienced an 8.1-magnitude earthquake in 1897 and earthquakes with magnitudes up to 8.3 in 1991, 1989, 1929, and 1924. "This indicates that today's earthquake occurred in a potential seismic gap," the company said.

The powerful earthquake, initially reported as having a magnitude of 7.9, triggered widespread tsunami warnings for the Philippines and other countries in the Pacific Ocean. PHIVOLCS issued a level 3 tsunami alert for coastal areas in several provinces, warning residents of high tsunami waves and urging them to move to higher ground.

The evacuation of coastal areas was ordered in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. "People in threatened coastal areas are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds. Coastal areas in the [named] provinces are expected to be affected by high tsunami waves," the agency said in a bulletin.

But only small tsunami waves were recorded by gauges, although reports indicate waves may have reached a height of up to 0.5 meter (19.6 feet) when they reached coastal areas in Pilar municipality on the island of Siargao. The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) reported a small tsunami wave of 19 centimeters (7.4 inches) in Surigao City.

"Waves not higher than half meter were also reportedly observed in Pilar, Surigao del Norte in Siargao Island about 10 minutes after the earthquake," Ramos said. "No bigger tsunami associated with this earthquake is expected to follow after this cancellation. All tsunami alerts are now lifted."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had also issued tsunami warnings for Indonesia, the Pacific island nation of Palau, Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Papua New Guinea. A watch was also in effect for Chuuk, the Japanese coral atoll Marcus Island, Kosrae, Pohnpei, the Marshall Islands, Wake Island, the Solomon Islands, Russia, Nauru and the U.S. state of Hawaii.

The Philippines is on the so-called 'Pacific Ring of Fire', an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin which is prone to frequent and large earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions also occur frequently in the region, where economic development has expanded rapidly in recent decades, although mostly in urban areas.

A strong and shallow 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck about 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles) northwest of Tayasan, a 4th class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, on February 6. The quake destroyed more than 6,300 houses, killing at least 51 people and leaving 62 others missing.

Other earthquakes in recent history in the Philippines include a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake which struck the densely populated island of Luzon in July 1990, killing at least 2,412 people and injuring thousands more. It was one of the most deadliest earthquakes in the Philippines in recent history.

Only more deadly was an enormous 8.1-magnitude earthquake in August 1976 which shook Mindanao island and had its epicenter in the Moro Gulf. It caused a destructive tsunami in the Celebes Sea, causing devastation in settlements along the coast of the Moro Gulf on Mindanao island and on the nearby Sulu Islands.

The earthquake in August 1976 was felt on all of the central islands of the Philippines Archipelago and in the southern part of Luzon. As a result of the earthquake and tsunami, more than 8,000 people were killed or left missing, 10,000 were injured, and 90,000 were left homeless.

-- thaivisa.com © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-09-01

[SOTIRIOS]

...why are we learning about it Sunday afternoon...almost 2 days later............