The Philippines is vulnerable to tsunami due to the presence of

offshore faults and trenches, such as: Manila Trench, Negros

Trench, Sulu Trench, Cotabato Trench, Philippine Trench, East
Luzon Trough
A tsunami is a series of sea waves commonly generated by
under the sea earthquakes and whose heights could be greater
than 5 meters. It is erroneously called tidal waves and sometimes
mistakenly associated with storm surges.
Tsunamis can occur when the earthquake is shallow seated and
strong enough to displace parts of the seabed and disturb the
mass of water over it.
Tsunamis are commonly generated in subduction zones over
the ocean where two plates collide.
According to PHIVOLCS, there are two types of Tsunami
generation: Local Tsunami, and Far Field Tsunami (Distant
Tsunami).
LOCAL TSUNAMIS – These are confined to coasts within a
hundred kilometers of the source, usually earthquakes and a
landslide or a pyroclastic flow.
It can reach the shoreline within two to five minutes.
The coastal areas in the Philippines especially those facing the
Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, and Celebes Sea can
be affected by tsunamis that may be generated by Local
Earthquakes.
FAR FIELD TSUNAMIS – These can travel from 1 to 24 hours
before reaching the coast of the nearby countries.
Distant Tsunamis mainly coming from the country’s Pacific
Ocean like Chile, Alaska in USA, and Japan.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the Northwest
Pacific Tsunami Advisory Center are the responsible agencies
that closely monitor pacific wide tsunami event and send tsunami
warnings to the countries around the Pacific Ocean.
Located in the Central Visayas Region of the Philippines, Siquijor
is locally known as Isla Del Fuego or the Island of Fire. Not
because of a raging volcano like what is found in Camiguin Island
but because of its mystical fireflies at night. A small and remote
island in the Visayas but a perfect fusion of natural beauty,
culture, and mystery.
Provinces at risk to tsunamis:
 Siquijor  Guimaras
 Sulu  Romblon
 Tawi-Tawi  Surigao del Norte
 Basilan  Camiguin
 Batanes  Masbate
On August 17, 1976, the strongest and most devastating tsunami
was recorded in the Philippines. It reached a height of 9 meters
that devastated more than the 700 kilometers of coastline
burdening Moro Gulf in the North Celebes Sea. Known as the
midnight killer around 8, 000 people died including the missing
and unidentified.
There are three natural signs that we need to remember when
there is an approaching tsunami:
1. An earthquake has occurred.
2. There is an unusual sea level change.
3. Rumbling sound of approaching waves.