Mindanao hit by strong 7.6 earthquake

Map courtesy of US Geological Survey (USGS).

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3: A strong 7.6 earthquake has hit near the southeast coast of Mindanao, Philippines at about 10.37 Saturday night, the Meteorological Department of Malaysia said in a statement.

The epicentre of the 85 km deep earthquake was 42 km east of Gingoog City, it said, adding that there was no threat of tsunami to Malaysia.

According to a news report tsunami warnings have been issued for the eastern coast of Mindanao island with possible waves of 3-10 foot above tide level expected.

Meanwhile, in a summary of the earthquake, the USGS site said the earthquake occurred as a result of oblique reverse faulting at shallow depth ~75 km west of the Philippine Trench. Focal mechanism solutions indicate that rupture occurred as a result of shallow reverse faulting consistent with subduction interface fault.

–WE