A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck offshore of Davao Oriental on Friday, October 10, at 9:43 a.m., prompting the issuance of a tsunami warning for affected coastal areas.
Phivolcs said the earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 7.09°N, 127.09°E, approximately 44 kilometers northeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers beneath the seabed.
The agency initially reported the earthquake as magnitude 7.6, but later revised this in a subsequent bulletin to be 7.5, before it was again revised to 7.4.
Intensity. The earthquake was strongly felt across multiple provinces, with Intensity V shaking reported in Davao City and Intensity IV in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
Instrumental readings recorded Intensity V tremors in several areas including Hinunangan in Southern Leyte, Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental, Nabunturan in Davao de Oro, Davao City, Santa Maria in Davao Occidental, Kidapawan City in Cotabato, and multiple municipalities in Sarangani and South Cotabato provinces.
Intensity IV shaking was recorded across a wider area spanning Cebu City, parts of Eastern Samar and Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao del Sur, Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Tsunami warning. A tsunami warning has also been issued by Phivolcs to coastal communities regarding potential tsunami waves.
Phivolcs is warning of destructive tsunami waves with life-threatening heights. Based on local tsunami scenario databases, affected areas are expected to experience wave heights of more than one meter above normal tides, with potentially higher waves in enclosed bays and straits.
The first tsunami waves were forecasted to arrive between 9:43 a.m. and 11:43 a.m. and these waves may continue for hours.
Residents in coastal areas of the following provinces are strongly advised to move further inland or to elevated areas:
Eastern Samar
Southern Leyte
Leyte
Dinagat Islands
Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Sur
Davao Oriental
Boat owners in harbors, estuaries, or shallow coastal waters of these provinces should secure their vessels and move away from the waterfront immediately. Boats already at sea are advised to stay offshore in deep waters until further notice.