A powerful earthquake hit 325 kilometers southwest of Santiago, Chile at a depth of 35 kilometers at 1:34 a.m. EST, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Emergency agencies across the Pacific Ocean have issued tsunami warnings after this massive earthquake, which reached 8.8 points on the Richter scale in Chile and 6.9 in Japan, was reported.
At least 122 people are reportedly killed due to the earthquake in Chile. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued its highest alert for parts of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and other Pacific islands. According to NOAA, the first tsunami waves could start hitting Hawaii at 11:19 a.m. local time (4:19 p.m. EST)
“Sea level readings confirm that a tsunami has been generated which could cause widespread damage,” reads a bulletin issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. “Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this threat.”
The Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a low-level alert Saturday that residents should watch for potential tsunami warnings. The agency did not immediately recommend evacuations. Should Saturday’s earthquake trigger a tsunami, it would not be the first time for a tremor in Chile. After a 9.5-magnitude quake struck the country in 1960, a tsunami killed 140 people in Japan, 61 in Hawaii and 32 in the Philippines. According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, that tsunami measured between one and four meters in height. The possible Tsunami wave is expected to reach the Philippine coastlines sometime between 1:30 pm and 2 pm on Sunday.
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake hit Mindanao at 12:18 a.m. of Saturday, with the epicenter first traced 76 km southeast of General Santos City. It was felt at Intensity IV in General Santos City, with no reported damage and aftershocks, Phivolcs said in an advisory.
The following areas are probably the most affected ones should the Tsunami reach us here in the Philippines.
Batanes Group of Islands | Cagayan | Ilocos Norte | Isabela | Quezon | Aurora | Camarines Norte | Camarines Sur | Albay | Catanduanes | Sorsogon | Northern Samar | Eastern Samar | Leyte | Southern Leyte | Surigao del Norte | Surigao del Sur | Davao Oriental | Davao del Sur
How do you prepare for this? Do you think the Tsunami will hit the Philippines? Please leave your comment below and share this news with all your friends in the Philippines, Thank you…
Tsunami Safety Rules
A strong earthquake felt in a low-lying coastal area is a natural warning
of possible, immediate danger. Keep calm and quickly move to higher
ground away from the coast.
All large earthquakes do not cause tsunamis, but many do. If the quake is
located near or directly under the ocean, the probability of a tsunami
increases. When you hear that an earthquake has occurred in the ocean
or coastline regions, prepare for a tsunami emergency.
Tsunamis can occur at any time, day or night. They can travel up rivers
and streams that lead to the ocean.
A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves. Stay out of
danger until an "ALL CLEAR" is issued by a competent authority.
Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by noticeable rise or fall
of coastal waters. This is nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
Approaching large tsunamis are usually accompanied by a loud roar that
sounds like a train or aircraft. If a tsunami arrives at night when you can not see
the ocean, this is also nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant a few miles away. Do not
let modest size of one make you lose respect for all.
Sooner or later, tsunamis visit every coastline in the Pacific.
All tsunamis – like hurricanes – are potentially dangerous even
though they may not damage every coastline they strike.
Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami!
WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE WAVE YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO ESCAPE.
Tsunamis can move faster than a person can run!
During a tsunami emergency, your local emergency management office,
police, fire and other emergency organizations will try to save your life.
Give them your fullest cooperation.
Homes and other buildings located in low lying coastal areas
are not safe. Do NOT stay in such buildings if there is a tsunami
warning.
The upper floors of high, multi-story, reinforced concrete hotels can
provide refuge if there is no time to quickly move inland or to higher
ground.
If you are on a boat or ship and there is time, move your vessel to deeper
water (at least 100 fathoms). If it is the case that there is concurrent
severe weather, it may may safer to leave the boat at the pier and physically
move to higher ground.
Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can effect harbor
conditions for a period of time after the tsunami's initial impact. Be
sure conditions are safe before you return your boat or ship to the harbor.
Stay tuned to your local radio, marine radio, NOAA Weather Radio, or
television stations during a tsunami emergency – bulletins issued
through your local emergency management office and National
Weather Service offices can save your life.
definitely yes! government should do a warning special near coast..beware earth is changing!