The PHIVOLCS also issued a Sea Level Disturbance advisory, alerting affected areas to strong currents and the rapid rise and and fall of sea-waters.
"Based on tsunami wave models and early tide gauge records of the tsunami in the Philippine Sea, coastal areas in Philippine provinces fronting the Celebes Sea are expected to experience wave heights of less than one meter above the normal tide levels," the PHIVOLCS explained.
The first of these waves arrived sometime between 4:28 a.m. and 5:23 a.m.
However, this initial wave may not be the largest, and more waves were expected several hours on.
The public was thus advised to stay away from the beach and coasts fronting the Celebes Sea in the following provinces:
- Sarangani,
- Davao Occidental,
- South Cotabato,
- Davao Oriental, and
- Sultan Kudarat.
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| Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) message at 28 Apr 2017 21:52 UTC: Tsunami warning: "None" |
(2nd UPDATE) A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck offshore near Glan town in Sarangani province, early Saturday morning, the United States Geological Survey said.
The tremor struck at a depth of 26 kilometers around 4:23 a.m., the USGS said.
The USGS recorded the quake initially at magnitude 7.2 before revising it.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.2.
It was felt at Intensity V in the following areas: General Santos City; Koronadal City; Santa Maria, Jose Abad Santos,
Don Marcelino, Balot Island, Davao Occidental; Polomolok, Tupi, South Cotabato; Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Sarangani; Palimbag, Sultan Kudarat
Intensity IV- Davao City; Cotabato City; Zamboanga City
Intensity III- Cagayan De Oro City
Intensity II- Kidapawan City
Intensity III- Cagayan De Oro City
Intensity II- Kidapawan City
Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum told radio DZMM that residents near coastal areas in the region should be wary of possible tsunami waves.
He said the quake is also expected to trigger aftershocks and cause damage.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, in an initial advisory, said the quake may trigger tsunami waves as far away as Indonesia.
Hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coastal areas located within 300 km of the earthquake's epicenter, it added. - ABS-CBN News
