This morning, an offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 occurred off a southern Philippine province, with a potential hazardous tsunami in the vicinity.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported the earthquake was centered at sea, approximately 62 kilometers southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province, and anticipated damage and aftershocks.

It said the quake was caused by movement in a fault at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu said hazardous waves were possible within 300 kilometres of the epicentre.

There was not a wider danger of a tsunami, it said.

It said waves up to three metres above normal tides were possible on some Philippine coasts near the epicentre.

Smaller waves were possible in Indonesia and Palau.

The Philippines is still recovering from a September 30 earthquake that had a magnitude of 6.9, claiming at least 74 lives and displacing thousands in the central province of Cebu, especially in Bogo city and surrounding towns.

Being located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.

The country also endures about 20 typhoons and storms annually, presenting a significant challenge for disaster response efforts coordinated by the government and volunteer groups.