Download press release phivolcs commemorates the 1976 moro gulf

PRESS RELEASE
PHIVOLCS COMMEMORATES THE 1976 MORO GULF EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
THROUGH DISASTER AWARENESS AND PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology – Department of Science and
Technology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) commemorates the 40th year of the 1976 Moro Gulf
Earthquake and Tsunami.
On August 17, 1976 at 12:11 AM (PST), a magnitude-8.1 earthquake generated by the
movement along the Cotabato trench hit the island of Mindanao. The earthquake caused
damage and collapse of houses and buildings. However, the tsunami that affected 700
kilometers of coastline bordering Moro Gulf in the North Celebes Sea brought the most
destruction.
The off-shore earthquake produced a massive tsunami killing about 6000 people making it
the most disastrous tsunami to hit the Philippines. People were mostly asleep and were only
awakened by the strong shaking. About five minutes after the earthquake, a rumbling sound
was heard from the shore, and three to four succeeding waves hit the coastal areas. Some
were not able to immediately evacuate to higher grounds.
Waves as high as nine (9) meters struck the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat. It inundated
almost all coastal towns of provinces bordering Moro Gulf such as Zamboanga Sibugay,
Zamboanga Del Sur, Lanao Del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat,
Sarangani, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi and cities of Cotabato and Zamboanga.
On the 40th year of the 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami, PHIVOLCS will be
conducting a School Fair at Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School, Zamboanga City on
August 18 – 19, 2016. PHIVOLCS-DOST aims to promote geologic hazard awareness and
preparedness among the students. Moreover, a seminar-workshop entitled Orientation and
Knowledge Sharing for Partner Agencies on Volcano, Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster
Preparedness and Risk Reduction: Seminar-Workshop for KBP Partners on the use of
Broadcasters’ InfoChart on Emergency Preparedness will be held to capacitate the media on
how to effectively disseminate information about earthquake, tsunami and its hazards on
August 20, 2016 at LM Metro Hotel, Zamboanga City.
PHIVOLCS encourages everyone to look back and remember not only the tragedy, but also
the lessons we learned. Awareness and preparedness would increase our chances against
natural hazards and disasters. Through the continuous monitoring, and Information,
Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign of PHIVOLCS, let us keep our communities
safe from and resilient to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and other related
hazards.
For more information contact:
Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
Director
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
PHIVOLCS Bldg., C.P. Garcia Ave., UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City
Tel. No: (02) 926 2611 or (02) 426-1468 to 79
www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph