A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck off the Philippines Monday.
The tremor rattled off the coast of Mindanao in the morning. As of Tuesday, reports indicate at least 32 people have died and more than 200 have been injured following the disaster. Most fatalities were linked to collapsed buildings, falling debris, and quake-related damage, though tsunami flooding was also reported in several coastal areas.
In the minutes that followed, tsunami waves began surging into coastal communities across the region. Videos circulating online showed seawater rushing inland, smashing waterfront areas and flooding low-lying areas. One clip captured what appeared to be a wall of water crashing into the shoreline, while another showed a strange sideways-moving surge sweeping through a harbor. Rather than resembling traditional breaking waves, the tsunami arrived as rapidly rising water and powerful currents pushing inland.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned that waves as high as 3 meters (roughly 10 feet) were possible along some Philippine coastlines, prompting evacuations throughout the region.
According to Philippine authorities, tsunami waves that reached shore generally measured around 1 meter (3 feet), though some locations recorded higher surges approaching 1.4 meters (4.6 feet).
Related: Earthquake Cluster Rattles West Coast Near Mega-Tsunami Danger Zone
“We advise people to evacuate to higher grounds or go further inland,” Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Teresito Bacolcol warned residents as the tsunami threat unfolded.
Here’s another look at the tsunami waves produced by Monday’s quake:
For surfers and ocean enthusiasts, the footage serves as a reminder that tsunami waves often look very different from normal surf. Rather than pitching beachbreaks or reeling pointbreaks, they frequently arrive as fast-moving walls of water, surging currents, and rapidly rising sea levels capable of sweeping away cars, boats, and buildings.
The disaster also reignited discussion about the Philippines’ place within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the most seismically active regions on Earth. The country experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity, and recent seismic events throughout the Pacific have fueled speculation about larger events still to come. Scientists caution, however, that earthquakes cannot currently be predicted, and each event is largely independent of the next.
Is this an indication that the “Big One” is imminent? Stay vigilant.
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