A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck off the southern coast of the Philippines, resulting in at least two fatalities and triggering a tsunami warning for parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, as reported by local authorities. The tsunami alert has since been rescinded.
This seismic event occurred just ten days after a previous devastating earthquake in the central Philippines, which claimed at least 79 lives and injured numerous others.
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Below is a detailed overview of the recent earthquake, the reasons behind the Philippines’ susceptibility to seismic activity, and the country’s disaster preparedness.
Location of the Earthquake and the Tsunami Advisory
The tremor occurred at a depth of 43 kilometers (27 miles) at 9:43 a.m. local time (01:43 GMT) on Friday, near the coastal town of Manay in Davao Oriental, situated in the Mindanao region of southern Philippines, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs attributed the quake to tectonic movements along the Philippine Trench, located approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) beneath the ocean surface. This trench is a deep, narrow depression east of the Philippine archipelago.
Following the quake, Phivolcs issued a tsunami warning for the adjacent areas, anticipating waves exceeding one meter (3.3 feet) in height. Residents along the coast were urgently advised to evacuate to higher ground or move further inland to ensure safety.
Similarly, the United States National Tsunami Warning Center extended tsunami alerts to parts of Indonesia and Palau, forecasting wave heights between 0.3 and 1 meter (1 to 3.3 feet) above normal tide levels.
By midday in the Philippines (04:00 GMT), the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu declared the tsunami threat had subsided, as reported by Reuters.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency confirmed minor tsunami waves in North Sulawesi province, with wave heights ranging from 3.5 to 17 centimeters (1.3 to 6.7 inches) in areas including Melonguane, Beo, Essang, and Ganalo within the Talaud Islands. The tsunami warning for Indonesia has since been lifted.
Casualties and Human Impact
Nelson Dayanghirang, governor of Davao Oriental, informed ABS-CBN news that the earthquake has resulted in at least two deaths.
“Currently, we have documented two fatalities, and patients have been transferred to provincial and district hospitals,” he stated. Additionally, around 250 patients were evacuated from a damaged hospital and are temporarily being accommodated in tents.
Extent of Damage
Richie Diuyen, a disaster management official in Manay near the epicenter, described the quake as lasting between 30 to 40 seconds, causing structural damage to homes, a church facade, roads, and bridges.
“I am 46 years old, and this is the most intense earthquake I have ever experienced,” Diuyen told Reuters.
She emphasized the significant scale of destruction.
The governor of Davao Del Norte reported to DZMM radio that residents and workers in Tagum, the regional capital, were gripped by panic.
“We have also received reports of damaged buildings,” he added.
ABS-CBN noted that students at Bukidnon State University in Malaybalay City evacuated their classrooms during the quake, and many schools across the region have been closed as a precaution.
Jun Saavedra, a disaster mitigation officer in Governor Generoso town, Davao Oriental, recounted to The Associated Press that power outages followed the earthquake.
“While driving, I felt the car sway, and power lines were visibly shaking. People rushed out of their homes and buildings as the ground trembled and electricity was cut,” he said.
Response and Relief Efforts
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced that search and rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected areas.
He urged citizens to adhere strictly to instructions from disaster management authorities, emphasizing, “Your safety remains our highest priority.”
The president also mentioned that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is preparing to deliver food and essential supplies, while the Department of Health (DOH) will provide medical assistance.
The Office of the Vice President confirmed that its Mindanao satellite offices are on standby to offer support, including psychological counseling for those, especially children, traumatized by the earthquake.
Why the Philippines is Earthquake-Prone and Its Level of Preparedness
Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is part of a tectonically active zone characterized by volcanic arcs and deep ocean trenches.
John Dale B Dianala, assistant professor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman, explained that the country’s location exposes it to numerous onshore and offshore fault lines.
“Stretching approximately 1,800 kilometers, the Philippines lies along the boundary between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, both massive tectonic plates within the Pacific Ring of Fire. These plates have been converging for millions of years at a rate comparable to the growth of human fingernails,” he said.
“Earthquakes occur as a result of the periodic release of accumulated stress along these fault lines, causing sudden shifts that can move several meters during major seismic events,” Dianala added.
“When such movements cause vertical displacement of the seafloor, especially along offshore faults like the Philippine Trench, they can displace large volumes of water, generating tsunamis. Additionally, strong shaking may trigger underwater landslides, which can also produce tsunami waves,” he explained.
Dianala highlighted the challenge of compounded natural disasters, noting that following the recent Cebu earthquake, the region experienced flooding and another quake in Mindanao, stretching resources thin.
Other nations within the Ring of Fire include Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, the United States, Canada, Russia, Guatemala, Peru, and Chile.
Assessing the Philippines’ Disaster Preparedness
Despite ongoing efforts by Phivolcs and international organizations like the United Nations to develop early warning systems, some political figures argue that more robust government action is necessary.
Following the recent quake, Jose Alvarez, a businessman and member of the Philippine House of Representatives, suggested that surplus government funds should be allocated to the 2025 budget to enhance disaster response capabilities under President Marcos Jr.
“This is crucial for 2026 and beyond, as we anticipate more earthquakes, typhoons, and floods,” Alvarez stated.
Nevertheless, Dianala noted that the country’s resilience to earthquakes has improved significantly since the 1990s. Previously, similar seismic events would have resulted in far greater casualties and infrastructure damage.
“Frequent earthquakes have unfortunately caused disasters but have also driven the implementation of stricter laws and policies based on past experiences,” he said.
“The National Building Code of the Philippines has been updated to mandate that structures withstand shaking up to Intensity 8 on the seismic scale,” Dianala added, though he acknowledged that enforcement of these standards remains inconsistent.
