Tsunami warnings after 7.9 quake strikes off Philippines
By NBC News staff and wire reports
Tsunami warnings and alerts were issued across a wide swath of Asia after a 7.9-magnitude undersea earthquake struck off the eastern Philippines Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The quake was centered 91 miles off the town of Guiuan in Samar province at a depth of about 20 miles, USGS said.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
Warnings were in effect in the Philippines, Indonesia, Belau, Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, North Marianas and Papua New Guinea.
Watches were in effect in several other coastal areas in the region, including in Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
The head of the Philippine seismology agency, Renato Solidum, said his bureau recorded a preliminary magnitude of 7.7. He said that residents living along the coastline of eastern Samar Island were advised to evacuate to high ground in case of a tsunami.
By NBC News staff and wire reports
Tsunami warnings and alerts were issued across a wide swath of Asia after a 7.9-magnitude undersea earthquake struck off the eastern Philippines Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The quake was centered 91 miles off the town of Guiuan in Samar province at a depth of about 20 miles, USGS said.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
Warnings were in effect in the Philippines, Indonesia, Belau, Yap, Taiwan, Japan, Guam, North Marianas and Papua New Guinea.
Watches were in effect in several other coastal areas in the region, including in Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
The head of the Philippine seismology agency, Renato Solidum, said his bureau recorded a preliminary magnitude of 7.7. He said that residents living along the coastline of eastern Samar Island were advised to evacuate to high ground in case of a tsunami.