Phivolcs Lifts Tsunami Advisory After Kamchatka Earthquake
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has officially lifted the tsunami advisory it issued earlier to several coastal communities. This decision came after no significant sea level disturbances or tsunami waves were detected following a powerful earthquake.
The 4:40 p.m. cancellation followed a strong magnitude 8.7 earthquake that struck the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 7:25 a.m. Philippine time. Phivolcs closely monitored sea level changes facing the Philippine Sea and confirmed that the expected tsunami effects did not materialize.
No Significant Sea Level Disturbances Recorded
“Based on available data from our sea level monitoring stations facing the Philippine Sea, no significant sea level disturbances nor destructive tsunami waves have been recorded since the 7:25 AM earthquake up until this cancellation,” Phivolcs reported. The agency emphasized that any minor sea level fluctuations have now passed, making the earlier precautionary measures unnecessary.
Phivolcs also clarified that this advisory will be the final tsunami alert related to this seismic event. The Department of Science and Technology, under whose supervision Phivolcs operates, endorsed the cancellation of the earlier recommendations.
Areas Initially Under Tsunami Advisory
Earlier warnings had indicated that coastal communities might experience tsunami waves under one meter, expected to arrive between 1:20 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. These areas included:
- Batanes Group of Islands
- Cagayan
- Isabela
- Aurora
- Quezon
- Camarines Norte
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Catanduanes
- Northern Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Davao del Norte
- Davao Oriental
- Davao Occidental
- Davao del Sur
- Davao de Oro
Residents in these areas were urged to avoid beaches and coastal zones as a precaution. The initial tsunami advisory prompted several local governments to suspend classes to ensure public safety.
Local leaders noted the importance of heeding such warnings, which are meant to protect communities from potential disasters. Fortunately, this event did not result in tsunami waves affecting the Philippines.
For more news and updates on tsunami advisory, visit Filipinokami.com.
