First waves of weakened tsunami hit eastern PHL

Successive tsunami waves, ranging from 30 to 70 centimeters high and substantially weakened by the long distance from northeast Japan, finally reached the eastern Philippine coasts between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology announced (PHIVOLCS).

Citing data from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), which was also posted at the Philippine government's main web portal, PHIVOLCS said several distinct waves were detected by at least three gauge stations: in San Vicente, Cagayan province, in Baler, Aurora province, and in Virac, Catanduanes province.



Four waves were detected by the San Vicente, Cagayan station. The first two waves hit at around 6 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. respectively, both with a height of 60 cm (0.6 meter). These were followed by two more waves at 6:50 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both measured at 40 cm.

In the Baler, Aurora station, the first wave was detected at around 6:30 p.m. with a height of 40 cm, followed by a 40-cm second wave at 7:10 and a 30-cm third wave at 8 p.m.

In the Virac, Catanduanes station, the first wave was detected at around 6:30 p.m. with a height of 40 cm, followed by a 60-cm second wave at 7:10 p.m., and a 70-cm third wave at 7:50 p.m.

In a news report aired over "SONA", GMA News' Joseph Morong said PHIVOLCS is reminding the public that although the first waves were fairly small, it does not necessarily mean that the succeeding waves will no longer be dangerous, adding that Tsunami Alert Level 2 remains raised over 19 provinces.

PHIVOLCS also said that based on the number of tsunami waves that passed through Okinawa earlier Friday afternoon, they also expect six successive waves to hit eastern Philippine shores. Thus, two more tsunami waves may still come in between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.

No damage have been reported so far in the 19 provinces expected to be affected by the tsunami.

source: gmanews