3-4-2024 (MANILA) The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a warning on Wednesday that high tsunami waves could potentially affect 23 areas in the Philippines following a magnitude 7.5 earthquake near Taiwan. In an advisory, Phivolcs stated, “Based on tsunami wave models and early tide gauge records of the tsunami in the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, coastal areas in the Philippines fronting the Pacific Ocean are expected to experience high tsunami waves.”
The first tsunami waves are anticipated to arrive between 08:33 AM and 10:33 AM on April 3, 2024 (PST). Phivolcs emphasized that these waves may continue for hours and while they may not be the largest, caution should be exercised.
The following areas have been identified as being under a tsunami threat:
- Batanes Group of Islands
- Cagayan
- Ilocos Norte
- Isabela
- Quezon
- Aurora
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Albay
- Catanduanes
- Sorsogon
- Eastern Samar
- Northern Samar
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Dinagat Islands
- Davao de Oro
- Davao del Norte
- Davao del Sur
- Davao Occidental
- Davao Oriental
Phivolcs strongly advised the people in the coastal areas of these provinces to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland. Additionally, boat owners in harbors, estuaries, or shallow coastal waters in the mentioned provinces were urged to secure their boats and move away from the waterfront. Those already at sea during this period were instructed to stay offshore in deep waters until further advised.
The earthquake, measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck near Taiwan shortly before 9:00 am local time in Japan (0000 GMT) on Wednesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for the southern Japanese islands in response to the earthquake.
