A Philippines earthquake uplift raised parts of the seabed by up to two metres after a deadly 7.8-magnitude tremor struck southern Mindanao, the environment department said Sunday.
The quake killed at least 61 people and left at least 40 missing, according to updated tolls from the disaster agency. The United States Geological Survey said the June 2026 Mindanao quake resulted from thrust faulting south of the island.
Residents reported the coastal uplift two days after the quake, which extended the shoreline by up to 200 metres in some places, the environment department said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said movement along the Cotabato Trench pushed up coastlines in Sarangani and Davao Occidental provinces. It mapped the uplift at about two metres.
Damn!! Another video showing the violent shaking from the M7.8 earthquake that hit the Philippines a few days ago 👀👀
📍 Glan, Sarangani, Philippines
📹 Adrian Macaculop pic.twitter.com/GRdUNaLXFc
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) June 14, 2026The Cotabato Trench lies as close as 50 kilometres off the southern coast of Mindanao. The environment department said the area has frequent seismic activity, including thousands of mostly small earthquakes recorded in January.
A team sent to the affected coast found long stretches of shoreline, coral reef and seagrass beds exposed. The department said it could not yet determine the full width of the affected area.
Images from the department’s regional office showed exposed coral with dead fish and other aquatic life. Residents had first reported the seabed changes because they feared fumes from decaying sea life.
Read: Mindanao Earthquake Kills 45 As Marcos Announces Aid
The department said exposed corals and seagrass beds had begun dying, along with reef fish, eels, clams and shells.
