December 2023 Mindanao earthquake facts for kids
| UTC time | 2023-12-02 14:37:03 |
|---|---|
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 2 December 2023 |
| Local time | 22:37 |
| Magnitude | 7.6 Mww (USGS) 7.4 Mw (PHIVOLCS) |
| Depth | 32.8 km (20.4 mi) |
| Epicenter | 8°31′37″N 126°26′56″E / 8.527°N 126.449°E |
| Max. intensity | VIII (Severe) PEIS – V (Strong) |
| Tsunami | 64 cm (2.10 ft) |
| Casualties | 1 injured |
On 2 December 2023, at 22:37 PST (14:37 UTC), a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit 21 km (13 mi) northeast of Hinatuan, Caraga, Philippines.
Contents
Earthquake
The United States Geological Survey reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said it had a magnitude of 7.4 and that it measured V (Strong) on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale in Bislig, near the epicenter, and in Cabadbaran. An aftershock measuring 6.4 struck at 16:03 UTC.
The earthquake occurred as a result of shallow oblique-thrust faulting likely along the subduction interface of the Philippine Trench. At this location, the Philippine Sea Plate moves west-northwest at a rate of about 103 mm (4.1 in) per year with respect to the Sunda Plate. A finite fault model suggests rupture occurred around an elliptical area measuring 80 km × 80 km (50 mi × 50 mi). Maximum slip was concentrated around the epicenter, although slightly up-dip, which was estimated at up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in).
Tsunami
Tsunami warnings were issued by PHIVOLCS for the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental, while NHK said tsunami waves up to 1 m (3.3 ft) could hit Japan's southern coast. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also said that they expected tsunami waves to be as high as 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) in the Philippines, 0.3–1 m (0.98–3.28 ft) in Palau, and less than 0.3 m (0.98 ft) in American Samoa, China, South Korea, a majority of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia.
A 64 cm (2.10 ft) high tsunami was observed on Mawes Island. On Hachijō-jima, a Japanese island 290 km (180 mi) south of Tokyo, waves of 40 cm (1.3 ft) were recorded.
Impact
Some houses were damaged in Agusan del Sur, where power was knocked out across the entire province. Power outages also occurred in Hinatuan. One person was treated in Cagayan de Oro after passing out from the earthquake.
Power outages and people passing out from the earthquake were also reported in Davao City.
See also
- List of earthquakes in 2023
- November 2023 Mindanao earthquake - a nearby earthquake in Soccsksargen which happened two weeks prior
- List of earthquakes in the Philippines
