Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hits Mindanao, tsunami warning up —PHIVOLCS

A tsunami warning was raised after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit offshore Sarangani on Monday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

In an advisory, PHIVOLCS said the earthquake was recorded at 7:37 a.m. and initially recorded at magnitude 7 with a depth of 10 kilometers.

But in a second advisory, state seismologist upgraded the magnitude to 7.8 with a depth of 33 kilometers. It was located 05.57°N, 124.98°E - 032 km S 04° W of Maasim, Sarangani.

The reported intensities in affected areas are the following:

• Intensity VII - General Santos City
• Intensity VI - Palimbang, and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat
• Intensity V - Davao City; City of Kidapawan, and Carmen, Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Sibuco, and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
• Intensity IV - City of Mati, Davao Oriental; Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay; Caraga, Manay, and Tarragona, Davao Oriental
• Intensity III - Butuan City; Mainit, Surigao del Norte; City of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; Kumalarang, Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur
• Intensity II - City of Dipolog, Labason, Liloy, President Manuel A. Roxas, and Salug Zamboanga del Norte; Alicia, Ipil, Mabuhay, Olutanga, and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Abuyog, and Dulag, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte

For instrumental intensities:

• Intensity VIII - Malapatan, Sarangani
• Intensity VII - City of Koronadal, Sarangani; Santa Maria, Davao Occidental
• Intensity VI - General Santos City; T'boli, South Cotabato
• Intensity V - Maasim, Sarangani; Santo Niño, and Surallah, South Cotabao; Isulan, Lebak, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Davao City; City of Digos, and Magsaysay, Davao de Sur
• Intensity IV - Kiamba, Malungon, Sarangani; Banga, and Tupi, South Cotabato; Magpet, and M'lang, Cotabato; Bagumbayan, and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Zamboanga City
• Intensity III - Tantangan, South Cotabato; Columbio, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; Alamada, Banisilan, Carmen, President Roxas, Cotabato; Kalilangan, Bukidnon; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental
• Intensity II - Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur; Tubod, Lanao del Norte; City of Malaybalay, and Libona, Bukidnon; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Cagayan de Oro City; Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
• Intensity I - Malitbog, Bukidnon; Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental

Tsunami warning

In Tsunami Information No. 1, PHIVOLCS said coastal communities in affected areas may experience tsunami waves more than one meter above normal tide levels.

The agency added that wave heights could be higher in enclosed bays and straits.

PHIVOLCS said the first tsunami waves are expected to arrive between 7:37 a.m. and 9:37 a.m.

The provinces placed under the tsunami warning are:

• Sarangani
• Davao Occidental
• Tawi-Tawi
• Sulu
• Basilan
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Sultan Kudarat
• South Cotabato

Residents living in coastal areas of the affected provinces were strongly advised to evacuate immediately to higher ground or farther inland as a precautionary measure.

PHIVOLCS also urged owners of boats in harbors, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters in the affected areas to secure their vessels and stay away from the waterfront.

Meanwhile, boats already at sea were advised to remain offshore in deep waters until authorities issue further instructions.

Local government units and disaster response agencies have been directed to closely monitor the situation and ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable coastal communities.

Super Radyo dzBB reported that aftershocks are still being felt in different provinces. The power supply and the internet were also down in some areas. —AOL, GMA News