The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) has confirmed no tsunami threat exists to the Philippines following a powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck the Molucca Sea off Indonesia early Wednesday morning.
The earthquake occurred at 6:48 AM on April 2, 2026, with its epicenter located at 1.2°N, 126.3°E in the Molucca Sea, approximately 127 kilometers west-northwest of Ternate, Indonesia, at a depth of 76 kilometers.
No Tsunami Threat Declared
PHIVOLCS issued Tsunami Information No. 1 at 7:24 AM, stating that "no destructive tsunami threat exists based on available data" and confirmed "there is no tsunami threat to the Philippines from this earthquake."
The bulletin specified that no action is required from the public regarding tsunami preparations, as this information is being provided for informational purposes only.
Earthquake Felt Across Mindanao
Despite the earthquake's Indonesian location, ground shaking was recorded across several provinces in Mindanao through the PHIVOLCS seismic monitoring network.
Intensity II shaking, described as barely perceptible, was recorded in:
- Kiamba and Malungon in Sarangani province
- Tupi and T'Boli in South Cotabato
- Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat
Weaker Intensity I shaking was detected in:
- Magsaysay and Digos City in Davao del Sur
- Nabunturan in Davao de Oro
- Maasim and Malapatan in Sarangani
- Surallah, General Santos City, Lake Sebu, Tampakan, and Banga in South Cotabato
- Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur
Seismic Monitoring Details
PHIVOLCS noted that while the earthquake was recorded by the Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental Seismic Station (station code DDMP), the number of available stations that recorded the earthquake was insufficient to locally determine all parameters at the time of the initial bulletin.
The agency initially reported the earthquake as magnitude 7.4 located 127 kilometers west-northwest of Ternate, Indonesia, but later refined the parameters in the tsunami bulletin to magnitude 7.6 in the Molucca Sea.
Official Monitoring
PHIVOLCS confirmed this will be the only tsunami information bulletin issued unless additional information becomes available. The agency emphasized that the public should always refer to the latest tsunami information posted at the official PHIVOLCS website.
Monitor official PHIVOLCS updates at phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.