6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Reported

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake was reported in the Philippines on Tuesday (September 30), according to the United States Geological Survey.

The earthquake was centered at Calape at a depth of 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles). The USGS said it received 301 reports of people having felt the earthquake at the time of publication Tuesday morning, while more than half a million people were reported to be affected by shaking across the Visayan Islands, according to estimates from U.S. Geological Survey models.

The earthquake has reportedly raised initial fears fears of a possible localized tsunami, however the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat after the earthquake took place. The USGS warned that strong shaking could result in possible “considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures” and “slight to moderate damage in well-built ordinary structures," via CNN.

Three aftershocks were reported in the Philippines shortly after the initial 6.9-magnitude earthquake which included a 5.2-magnitude centered in Talisay, a 5.0-magnitude centered in Libertad and a 5.0-magnitude centered in Guadalupe, according to the USGS.

Multiple earthquakes exceeding 6.0-magnitude were reported in the Philippines this summer. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake was reported in the Philippines on July 10, while a 6.1-magnitude earthquake was reported on June 27 and a 6.2-magnitude earthquake was reported on June 23.