NOAA Tsunami Center: Tsunami warning lifted for Japan, Taiwan; remains for Indonesia, Philippines

Reuters reports Quake of 7.9 magnitude strikes off Philippines: USGS

Effect of the 7.9 magnitude earthquake 

The quake was centered off the east coast, 91 miles off the town of Guiuan in Samar province at a depth of about 20 miles, USGS said.

The tsunami warning was issued for the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea and other islands in the Pacific including the U.S. state of Hawaii.

The NOAA Tsunami Center later lifted a warning for 



Japan, Taiwan and several other Pacific islands.

"Strong earthquake here in Taft, Eastern Samar! And it lasted very long too!" Samar congressman, Ben Evardone, told reporters via text message.

An official at the Philippines' Volcanolgy Institute said he expected damage had been caused in Samar province but he had yet to receive any reports.

"If you are anywhere near the coast I recommend that you head to higher ground," Paul Caruso of the USGS told Sky TV by telephone when asked about a threat of a tsunami hitting the coast of the Philippines.

DOST warns the costal areas facing the Pacific Ocean are immediately requested to evacuate. The following areas are:

1.      Northern Samar

2.     Estern Samar

3.     Leyte

4.     Southern Leyte

5.     Surigao Del Norte

6.     Surigao Del Sur

While GMA News online reported that Phivolcs director Renato Solidum reiterated the tsunami warning, saying the waves could reach over one meter and raised the possibility of evacuating people in affected areas. NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said the earthquake was felt in many parts of the country and was particularly strong in places along the eastern seaboard.

Cracks of the building were seen on the pictures below as one of the effects of the earthquake.