"A catastrophic magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, reshaping coastlines, triggering tsunami warnings, and leaving a trail of devastation."
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, causing widespread damage, triggering tsunami warnings, and leading to numerous casualties. The event, which occurred in the morning local time, was followed by strong aftershocks and resulted in significant geological changes to the coastline.
Event Details
The earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time on Monday (23:37 GMT on Sunday). The epicenter was located off the coast of Mindanao island, approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of General Santos City, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Depth measurements varied between sources, with PHIVOLCS recording 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recording 55 kilometers (34 miles). The USGS initially estimated the magnitude at 8.2 before revising it to 7.8. The USGS reported the epicenter as 24.7 km west-southwest of Burias at a depth of 35 km.
Casualties and Damage
Reports of casualties and damage increased over time as rescue operations progressed.
Official Figures as of Latest Reports:
- At least 61 people have been confirmed dead.
- 40 people are reported missing.
- Over 1,120 people have been injured.
- An estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people have been displaced.
- Approximately 19,000 to 20,000 homes and over 100 government buildings have been damaged.
Specific Incidents:
- General Santos City: A grocery store and a Jollibee restaurant collapsed, with the grocery store collapse resulting in at least 13 fatalities. A commercial complex sustained structural damage, and one hospital was evacuated due to cracks.
- Glan, Sarangani Province: A landslide buried houses, killing at least 18 people.
- Davao del Sur: A section of Matanao National High School collapsed; students were outside at the time. A school in Digos reported a collapsed outdoor structure with no injuries.
- South Cotabato: One fatality was attributed to a heart attack and another to being hit by debris.
- Sarangani Province: Multiple other deaths were reported in addition to the Glan landslide.
Power outages were reported across the affected region. Water pipes burst in General Santos City, leading the government to provide food and water filtration. Telecommunications networks and roads were also damaged, hindering access for rescue teams.
Geological and Environmental Impact
The earthquake caused a significant geological phenomenon along the coast. PHIVOLCS reported that a shift in the Cotabato Trench raised the seabed by approximately two meters along parts of Sarangani and Davao Occidental provinces. In some locations, the shoreline extended up to 200 meters.
The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources stated that this uplift exposed long stretches of shoreline, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. Officials observed dead fish and other aquatic life, including reef fish, eels, clams, and shells, in the exposed areas. The agency reported that the exposed corals and seagrasses are dying off.
Tsunami Warnings and Regional Impact
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and regional authorities issued tsunami warnings for the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia, and Malaysia (Sabah). The PTWC initially stated that tsunami waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) were possible on some Philippine coasts and up to 1 meter (3 feet) on some coasts of Indonesia and Malaysia. Warnings were later lifted after the threat had largely passed.
- Indonesia: The earthquake was felt in North Sulawesi and North Maluku provinces. A tsunami wave of up to 0.75 meters (30 inches) was detected in North Sulawesi, and waves up to 7 inches were recorded on some coasts. Residents in coastal areas evacuated to higher ground.
- Japan: A tsunami of 0.2 meters was observed. Ferry disruptions and beach closures were reported.
- Australia: A tsunami warning was issued for northern coasts but was later canceled.
- Smaller sea level changes were possible in Taiwan, Guam, Papua New Guinea, and several western Pacific island nations. Authorities in the US stated there was no threat to Hawaii or the US mainland.
Aftershocks
Numerous aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake. The USGS reported aftershocks up to magnitude 6.7. More than 130 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7, were documented.
Government and International Response
- Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an immediate disaster response, the deployment of the military's disaster response units, and the preparation of relief supplies and evacuation centers. He ordered the suspension of schools in affected areas. Senior officials were sent to oversee search and rescue, reconstruction, and relief efforts.
- Philippine Coast Guard: Deployed 150 responders, including search and rescue dogs.
- Philippines Red Cross: Provided support to students at three high schools, as well as mental health support, hot meals, and rescue assistance.
- Malaysia: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim offered assistance.
The earthquake struck as public schools were reopening for the academic year, with the event occurring during flag-raising ceremonies at some schools. Thousands of schools were closed for structural safety assessments.
Context
The Philippines is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area of significant seismic and volcanic activity. The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually. The Cotabato Trench, which lies approximately 50 km off the coast of southern Mindanao, experiences frequent seismic activity. According to reports, a "swarm" of thousands of mostly small earthquakes was recorded in the area in January of the same year. This earthquake is reported to be the strongest in the region since a 1976 earthquake that generated tsunami waves. It follows a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu eight months prior that killed 79 people.