Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southeast Philippines, Tsunami Advisory Issued

Authorities urge coastal residents to evacuate as seismic activity off Mindanao island triggers tsunami warnings across the Philippines and neighboring nations.

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southeastern coast of the Philippines late Friday, triggering a tsunami advisory for several provinces and coastal communities. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred about 123 kilometers (79 miles) from Davao City, the capital of Mindanao island, at a depth of 58.1 kilometers (36 miles) beneath the surface.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake registered a slightly higher magnitude of 7.6 on local instruments. The agency warned that a “destructive tsunami with life-threatening wave heights” could affect areas along the eastern and southern coastlines of the Philippines, urging residents to move to higher ground immediately.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System forecasted possible wave heights of one to three meters in parts of the Philippines, with smaller waves—between 30 centimeters and one meter—potentially reaching Indonesia and Palau. As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or property damage, but emergency response teams are on high alert.

The Philippines, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s most seismically active regions. The 25,000-mile (40,000-kilometer) belt of fault lines and volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean frequently experiences powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks and sea level changes as residents brace for potential impacts. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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