Strong 7.4-Magnitude Quake Hits Southern Philippines, Minor Tsunami Recorded in Indonesia’s Talaud Islands

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday morning, triggering tsunami warnings across the region and generating minor sea-level changes along Indonesia’s northern coastline.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the quake occurred at 9:43 a.m. local time near Manay, Davao Oriental, Mindanao, at a depth of around 58 kilometers. Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for several coastal areas, urging residents to move to higher ground.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that waves up to three meters were possible along parts of the Philippine coast, while smaller waves were expected in neighboring regions, including Palau and Indonesia.

Early reports from local officials in Mindanao indicated damage to homes, cracked walls, and partial ceiling collapses in schools and government buildings. Power and communication outages were also reported in several cities. “The shaking started gently, then grew so strong that it was hard to stand,” said a teacher in Compostela told to The Laotian Times, who described the panic as students rushed to evacuate.

No casualties have been confirmed so far, but rescue teams are assessing the affected areas for possible injuries and structural damage.

Minor Philippines Tsunami Reaches

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the Philippine quake triggered a minor tsunami along parts of northern Sulawesi, particularly in the Talaud Islands.

Tide gauges in Beo recorded a sea-level rise of 7 centimeters, while Essang registered a smaller wave at 5 centimeters. BMKG classified the event as a “minor tsunami,” emphasizing that the waves posed no significant threat to coastal residents.

The agency nonetheless issued a tsunami warning for several coastal areas — including the Talaud Islands, Bitung City, South Minahasa, North Minahasa, and Supiori, Papua — advising residents to stay alert and await further updates.

BMKG reported that the quake’s epicenter was located 275 kilometers northwest of Karatung Island, North Sulawesi, confirming its origin from the same seismic activity affecting southern Philippines.

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Regional Coordination and Preparedness

The twin events underscored the shared seismic risks among countries in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes frequently cross national boundaries. Both the Philippines and Indonesia are located along this tectonic belt, making cooperation in early warning systems vital.

Experts emphasized that improved regional data sharing and public awareness could help reduce the impact of future transboundary disasters.

“Even minor sea-level changes can serve as an early reminder that we live in one of the most seismically active regions on Earth,” said Daryono, Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis at BMKG in Jakarta.

Authorities in both countries continue to monitor the situation, with the tsunami alerts expected to be lifted once conditions stabilize. (Wage Erlangga)