Depth of the earthquake was recorded as 34.9 km (21.7 mi).

The eartquake was reportedly felt in the following areas:

• Intensity 2: Marawi City; Sipalay City
• Intensity 3: Cotabato City; Mambajao, Camiguin; General Santos City
• Intensity 4: Butuan City; Catbalogan City; Cagayan de Oro City
• Intensity 5: Mati City; Compostela; Legaspi City; Iloilo City; Bislig City; Iligan City
• Intensity 6: Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Tacloban; Palo, Leyte; St. Bernard, S. Leyte
• Intensity 7: Guian, Oras, Sulat, Borongan City in Eastern Samar

Pacific Tsunami Warning center (PTCW) has issued a tsunami warning in several areas in Pacific Ocean including Philippines. Other Asian countries included in the Tsunami Warning are Indonesia, Belau, Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, N. Marianas, Papua New Guinea A Tsunami Watch is in Effect For Chuuk, Marcus Is., Kosrae, Pohnpei, Marshall Is., Wake Is., Solomon Is., Russia, and Nauru.

As of 10:00 pm, tsunami warning was still raised for Philippines, Indonesia, and Belau but was lifted in the other areas.

Tsunami Aert Level 3 has now been issued for some areas in Visayas and Mindanao. Residents of coastal areas in these places are now urged to evacuate, particularly:

• N Samar
• E Samar
• Leyte
• S Leyte
• Surigao Sur
• Surigao Norte

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos also advises residents of coastal areas from Cagayan Valley to Caraga to be alert.

According to Philvolcs Director Renato U. Solidum Jr., occurrence of aftershocks is highly possible.

Dir. Solidum said that if tsunami will occur coastal areas, the estimated height of wave is 1 meter or more, which might bit coastal areas in Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte, and Samar.

Reports of Damage and Casualties:

“House in CDO damaged due to landslide after the quake. 2 residents rushed to the hospital.” – @rod_bolivar via Twitter

“N. Samar Gov. Daza says he has received reports of damaged roads. “May mga crack.” – @ANCALERTS via Twitter

“Leyte Gov. Carlos Petilla says there’s no power in Tacloban” - @ANCALERTS via Twitter

Refresh the page for updates…

The post Magnitude 7.9 quake hit Visayas and Mindanao | Tsunami Warning Raised! appeared first on Samu't Sari, etc.

As of 7:00 PM, at least 7 people were confirmed dead, particularly in Negros Oriental. Initial reports also stated that 26 people are still missing. Most of the casualties were due to landslides which was reported to have occurred in  La Libertad at Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. The rescue mission by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other authorities, though still on going, has become very difficult when the night has fallen.

The epicenter of the quake was recorded to be somewhere in the middle part of the Negros Island, near Guihulngan.

Aside from the 6.5-magnitude quake, several aftershocks were felt in various areas in the Visayas and Mindanao within the day. Some areas where aftershocks were confirmed were at  Cebu City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City. The strongest aftershock was felt in Cebu, with a magnitude of 6.5. According to Philvolcs, 157 aftershocks has been recorded, and around 50 of these were felt in Negros Oriental.

The Tsunami Alert Level 2, which was initially raised, was cancelled. Thus, the residents can go back to their respective houses tonight. However, residents in the area should stay alert because the Philvolcs announced that there will be a continuous occurrence of aftershocks for at least a week.

The post Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake jolted Visayas and Mindanao; 157 Aftershocks recorded | February 6, 2012 appeared first on Samu't Sari, etc.