Tsunami Warnings Lifted, Aftershocks Continue In Philippines

Tsunami Warnings Canceled

The tsunami warnings issued following Friday evening's 7.6 magnitude earthquake have been lifted by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) at 12:10 a.m. Saturday.

Phivolcs issued Tsunami Warning Level 3 in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur after a strong quake that centered at 112km southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

In a statement released on Saturday, Phivolcs said that tsunami waves were reported but "did not reach life-threatening heights."

"The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) reported the tsunami in Surigao City with initial heights of 16 centimeters and 19 centimeters at 10:48 PM. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) also reported a three centimeter tsunami recorded by the tide gauges in Legaspi City at 9:43 PM and Davao City at 9:50 PM," it said.

It added: "No bigger tsunami associated with this earthquake is expected to follow after this cancellation,"

Aftershocks still felt

Several aftershocks continue to rock the epicenter of the temblor. As of posting time, Phivolcs recorded at least 20 quakes following the 7.6 magnitude at 8:47 p.m. Friday.

Below are the measurement of 5 of the strongest aftershocks, according to Philvolcs.

Magnitude 6.4, August 31, 2012 - 9:14 p.m
Magnitude 6.8, August 31, 2012 - 9:27 p.m.
Magnitude 5.9, August 31, 2012 - 9:31 p.m.
Magnitude 5.7, August 31, 2012 - 11:24 p.m.
Magnitude 6.0, September 1, 2012 - 7:38 a.m.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.