Strong 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes sea-floor off Philippines Islands

August 31, 2012 – PHILIPPINES - A magnitude 7.9 earthquake shook some parts of the Visayas, particularly Eastern Samar, at 8:47 p.m. Friday. The earthquake was later downgraded to a 7.6 by the USGS. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported in its website that the quake’s epicenter was located at 112 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The quake’s origin is tectonic and it has a depth of 10 kilometers. August 31, 2012 – It was also located at 175 kilometers northeast of Surigao, 187 kilometers east southeast of Tacloban, Leyte and 749 kilometers southeast of Manila, the US Geological Survey said in its latest bulletin. The USGS issued a tsunami warning in the Philippines, as well as in Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan and Guam. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum advised residents in Surigao del Norte, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte and Bicol to be on alert for possible aftershocks. He also advised those living in coastal villages in these areas to evacuate due to the tsunami warning. Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado said in a radio interview that he told all town mayors in the province to evacuate all families living in coastal areas. Evacuation is also ongoing in Eastern Samar and Surigao. No damage has been reported as of this posting Friday.  –Sun Star