Tsunami watch issued for Australia after monster underwater 8.0 earthquake in Philippines
A tsunami watch has been issued for parts of Australia after a powerful magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck off the coast of the Philippines this morning.
A tsunami watch has been issued for parts of Australia after a powerful magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck off the coast of the Philippines on Monday morning.
The undersea quake hit near Mindanao at 7.37am, prompting authorities to place the Northern Territory and Christmas Island on alert as they assess the risk of dangerous waves.
At this stage, no tsunami waves capable of threatening Australia have been detected.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.However, the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre says that if a tsunami has been generated, it could reach Christmas Island after noon local time and the Northern Territory after 1pm.
The warning centre is closely monitoring the situation and has stressed there is currently no cause for alarm.
Emergency authorities will continue assessing data from across the region and have pledged to issue updated advice immediately if the threat level changes.
The quake struck beneath the sea floor near the southern Philippines, one of the world’s most seismically active regions, where large earthquakes can trigger destructive tsunami waves.
Residents in affected areas have been urged to stay informed and monitor official warnings as authorities investigate whether the massive quake has displaced enough water to generate a tsunami.
