The United States Geological Survey has recorded a magnitude 6.8 earthquake at Negros-Cebu region at around 11:49 a.m. Monday (February 6).
Another magnitude 5.6 earthquake, at around 12:20 p.m. was recorded in the same area.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no destructive widespread tsunami threat based on history and data.
“However, earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometers of the earthquake epicenter. Authorities in the region of the epicenter should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action,” it said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) placed the magnitude at 6.9 and the epicenter at 5 kilometers Northwest of Tayasan, Negros Oriental.
The tremor, which is tectonic in origin, was felt at Intensity 7 in Dumaguete City, Intensity 6 in La Carlota City and La Castellana in Negros Occidental. It was Intensity 5 in Roxas City, Dao and Ivisan, Capiz and Iloilo City.
Meanwhile, San Jose de Buenavista and Pandan in Antique, Ayungon in Negros Oriental, Kalibo in Aklan and Sagay in Negros Occidental including Dipolog City recorded an Intensity 4. Butuan City, Legaspi City and Carmen in Cagayan de Oro recorded an Intensity 3.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said it is expecting damage from the earthquake.
Phivolcs initially issued a Tsunami Alert Level Number 2. This means the public is advised to stay away from the shoreline because of unusually big waves. Later on, Phivolcs lifted the alert. “No further reports of unusual sea level changes were received after the two-hour extended observation period. Hence, tsunami alerts for the Philippines are cancelled,” it said.
