A 7.8-magnitude earthquake in the Philippines lifted parts of the seabed by about two meters, exposing coral reefs and seagrass beds in southern Mindanao.
The quake struck offshore near Maasim, Sarangani, at 7:37 a.m. Philippine time on June 8, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
PHIVOLCS said the earthquake’s location, focal mechanism and aftershock pattern pointed to movement along the Cotabato Trench.
The uplift affected shorelines in Sarangani and Davao Occidental. Regional reports said some coastlines expanded by as much as 200 meters after the shallow seabed rose above the water.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said exposed corals, seagrass and marine species had started dying in large numbers.
Images from affected areas showed dead fish and other marine organisms stranded on newly exposed ground.
Read: Philippines Earthquake Uplift Exposes Coral, Kills Marine Life
Residents alerted authorities after noticing the changes and fearing odours from decomposing marine life.
The earthquake also caused major human losses. Current regional reporting said at least 61 people were killed, while disaster officials continued to list missing residents after the quake.
