August 31st, 2012
10:06 AM ET

7.6 quake hits off Philippines

[Updated 10:06 a.m. ET] People in eastern areas of the Philippine island of Mindanao should evacuate to higher ground after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami warning, an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said, according to the Philippine News Agency.

"Residents living (in) these areas facing the Pacific Ocean are advised to evacuate to higher places," he said, citing the areas of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental as particularly vulnerable.

[Updated 9:52 a.m. ET] A tsunami warning has been lifted for Japan, Taiwan and several Pacific islands, but a warning remains for Indonesia and the Philippines, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's tsunami center said Friday.

[Updated 9:50 a.m. ET] The U.S. Geological Survey has revised the magnitude of an earthquake that struck off the coast of the Philippines to 7.6, down from an initial reporting of 7.9, the agency said Friday.

[Posted 9:01 a.m. ET] An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 has struck off the coast of the Philippines, the U.S. Geological Survey said Friday.

The quake prompted a tsunami warning for parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Guam and other areas, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

"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," the tsunami warning center said.

The quake, which was about 20 miles deep, struck just before 8:50 p.m., the agency said. Its center was about 65 miles southeast of the town of Guiuan, in the Philippine province of East Samar.

Ed Serrano, the head of security at the Marco Polo Hotel in the city of Davao, about 250 miles south of Guiuan, said he felt the ground shake.

"The quake was very strong and the hotel guests were panicking. Most of them went outside," he said. "But now the situation is under control and we are waiting for official reports on how strong the quake was."

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

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Filed under: Earthquake • Natural Disasters • Philippines
soundoff (85 Responses)
  1. Tina Vequizo

    Let's pray that everyone in Central Philippines are safe especially my loved ones back in Cebu. Amping mo!

    August 31, 2012 at 9:29 am | Report abuse |
    • The Irony

      You only want prayers for central Philipines?? Oh my

      August 31, 2012 at 9:36 am | Report abuse |
  2. hotboiz2012

    i hot the fishes come my way so i can catch a monster fish from the east but i still wish everyone is ok and no fatalitys

    August 31, 2012 at 9:30 am | Report abuse |
  3. Vicky

    Where did the earthquake directly hit? I felt it all the way from antipolo city...

    August 31, 2012 at 9:34 am | Report abuse |
  4. ghe2011

    Hoping for the safety for ev'ryone! #PrayForPhilippines

    August 31, 2012 at 9:34 am | Report abuse |
  5. ThomasD

    20 miles. That's very shallow for 7.9. Surfs up is right.

    August 31, 2012 at 9:35 am | Report abuse |
  6. jade

    Oh God! the earthquake here in Cebu City, Philippines is so alarming!! 🙁

    August 31, 2012 at 9:36 am | Report abuse |
  7. Stef Fletcher

    Thank you so much for that much needed rant. Their comments are annoying and are right up there with the guy who saw Jesus in his breakfast taco!

    August 31, 2012 at 9:36 am | Report abuse |
  8. sean

    This Is Really Disturbing News, My Country Has Experienced Enough Destruction. When Will The Suffering End? I Guess Whats Enough To Do Is To Just Pray And And Pray.

    August 31, 2012 at 9:37 am | Report abuse |
    • Guy

      Praying accomplishes nothing.

      August 31, 2012 at 9:41 am | Report abuse |
  9. juvy

    aixt ... this was the most highest magnitude i ever felt here in Tacloban City .. i hope this will be the last earthquake that we will encounter . i also hope that everybody is fine especially in Guiuan and Samar. 🙁 God Bless to all of us .i hope it's not going to be the end of the world.

    August 31, 2012 at 9:39 am | Report abuse |
  10. terfel

    Please pray for our country Philippines!;(
    We believe in God. God is good!

    August 31, 2012 at 9:41 am | Report abuse |
  11. James Johnson

    Did the United States announce it was building a new military base in this area?

    August 31, 2012 at 9:41 am | Report abuse |
  12. KS Thinking

    You may want to go back to bed and try again. It appears your day is off to a very cranky start.

    August 31, 2012 at 9:44 am | Report abuse |
  13. cathy incontras

    the Catholic church has prayed and God has answered!!! Hallelujah!!! Manila is getting cleaned up, finally.

    August 31, 2012 at 9:46 am | Report abuse |
  14. 900rr

    Right on

    August 31, 2012 at 9:48 am | Report abuse |
  15. Lovelyn biang

    Ohhh my god 🙁

    August 31, 2012 at 9:54 am | Report abuse |
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