Tsunami Waves of 40 cm Reported in Japan Following Philippines Earthquake : Analysis

Tsunami waves measuring 40 cm (1.3 feet) have been reported on Japan’s Hachijojima island, approximately 290km (180 miles) south of Tokyo, following a major earthquake in the Philippines, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Earlier, the agency had warned that the waves could potentially reach up to one meter (3 feet) in height. The earthquake, with a magnitude of at least 7.5, struck Mindanao in the southern part of the Philippines, prompting evacuation orders in certain areas of the country as well as the southwest coast of Japan.

Late on Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) stated that the waves could reach the Philippines by midnight (16:00 GMT) and continue for several hours. However, there were no immediate reports of significant wave damage during that time. Initially, the US Tsunami Warning System indicated the possibility of waves up to three meters (10ft) above the usual high tide level along certain parts of the Philippine coast, but later confirmed that there was no tsunami threat. “Based on all available data, … the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed,” the system announced.

Phivolcs advised residents living near the coast in Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces to evacuate immediately or move to higher ground. The agency also instructed boats already at sea to remain offshore in deep waters until further notice. These provinces are relatively rural and less densely populated compared to other regions in the Philippines.

According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, tsunami waves measuring up to one meter were projected to reach Japan’s southwest coast by 1:30 am on Sunday (16:30 GMT on Saturday). Phivolcs stated that it did not anticipate significant damage from the quake itself, but warned of aftershocks. Following the initial earthquake, the area experienced a series of aftershocks, with the largest registering a magnitude of 6.4, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

Raymark Gentallan, the local police chief of Hinatuan, a coastal city near the epicenter of the earthquake, explained that power had been disrupted since the quake occurred, but no casualties or damage had been reported yet. “We are evacuating people away from coastal areas,” he informed Reuters. Images shared on social media by the local administration in Hinatuan, which is home to around 44,000 people, depicted numerous residents and vehicles moving towards higher ground. One large shelter was also shown housing several dozen people.

The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes as the country is located along the “Ring of Fire,” a region known for volcanic activity encircling the Pacific Ocean and susceptible to seismic events. Although the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) stated that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5 and occurred at a depth of 63km (39 miles), the United States Geological Survey recorded the quake as magnitude 7.6 with a depth of 32km (20 miles), and noted that it struck at 10:37pm (14:37 GMT).

Analysis:

The article provides factual information about the earthquake and tsunami threat in the Philippines and Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology are reliable sources in the field of earthquake monitoring and have provided accurate information in the past.

The initial report from the US Tsunami Warning System about the possibility of a tsunami wave height of up to three meters creates some confusion, particularly when it later states that there is no tsunami risk. This initial discrepancy could have caused unnecessary panic or confusion among readers.

Overall, the article presents the information in a balanced and accurate manner, including details about evacuation orders, aftershocks, and the geography of the affected areas. The inclusion of statements from local authorities and images from social media adds additional context to the situation.

In terms of potential biases, it is worth noting that the sources mentioned in the article are predominantly from Japan, the Philippines, and the US. This may limit the availability of information from other perspectives or sources within the affected regions.

The article’s reliability is generally high, as it relies on reputable sources and provides objective facts. However, the formatting of the original article lacks proper attribution of quotes, making it difficult to discern which statements are direct quotes from sources and which are paraphrased.

Regarding the impact of the article, it plays an essential role in providing real-time information about potential risks and evacuation orders to residents in affected areas. It also raises awareness among readers about the continuous seismic activity in the Pacific region.

Given the prevalence of fake news and misinformation in today’s political landscape, it is crucial for readers to rely on trusted sources and verify information independently. The inclusion of multiple sources in the article helps provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. However, the initial discrepancy in the tsunami warning messages could potentially erode trust in official sources of information and contribute to public confusion.

Overall, the article is reliable in presenting factual information, but the lack of clear attribution and the initial discrepancy in tsunami warning messages make it important for readers to exercise caution and verify the information independently.

Source: Aljazeera news: Tsunami waves of 40 cm in Japan after Philippines earthquake: Agency

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