Photo credit: Cuer Celia

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. Friday, shaking homes and offices across Mindanao and even parts of the Visayas.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the tectonic quake was traced 44 km northeast of Manay at a depth of 20 km.

Strong shaking reported:

Intensity V – Davao City

Intensity IV – Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Phivolcs instruments also detected Intensity V ground shaking in areas like Southern Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Cotabato, Sarangani, and South Cotabato. Intensity IV was also felt as far as Cebu, Leyte, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, and Surigao del Norte.

What this means:
• Reported intensity comes from people describing how strong they felt the quake.
• Instrumental intensity is measured scientifically through ground movement sensors.

Tsunami warning issued

Phivolcs warned that a destructive tsunami is possible, with the first waves expected between 9:43 a.m. to 11:43 a.m. Friday and could last for hours.

Residents living in coastal areas of the following provinces are strongly advised to evacuate immediately to higher ground or move farther inland:

• Eastern Samar
• Southern Leyte
• Leyte
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Davao Oriental

Boat owners in harbors or shallow coastal waters are urged to secure their vessels or move them to safer waters. Those already at sea should stay in deep waters until further notice.

Phivolcs also said that aftershocks and possible damage are expected.