Huge earthquake tears through Philippines at 7.2 magnitude

Why does the Philippines have so many earthquakes?

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), around 100-150 earthquakes occur per year (with a magnitude of 4.0 and above) have been felt from year 1600s to early 2000.

There are so many volcanoes and earthquakes in the area dubbed the Ring of Fire. Here, tectonic plates overlap at convergent boundaries called subduction zones.

National Geographic explains: "That is, the plate that is underneath is pushed down, or subducted, by the plate above. As rock is subducted, it melts and becomes magma. The abundance of magma so near to Earth’s surface gives rise to conditions ripe for volcanic activity. This stretch of the Ring of Fire is a transform boundary, where plates move sideways past one another. This type of boundary generates a large number of earthquakes as tension in Earth’s crust builds up and is released."

Seventy-five per cent of Earth’s volcanoes are located along the Ring of Fire. Ninety per cent of Earth’s earthquakes occur along its path, including the planet’s most violent and dramatic seismic events.

30 students treated for breathing difficulties

About 30 students at a high school in the city were treated for breathing difficulties due to panic following the quake, Adrian Imbong, an emergency medical services worker told local news.

Meanwhile, Sarangani municipality police officer Captain Giecarrjune Villarin said the quake was "really strong". He and his colleagues fled their building on the island, which is about 30 kilometres southeast of where the quake struck.

"We saw people run out of a nearby gym where they had been playing basketball," he said.

'Strongest earthquake I've ever experienced'

"I think it was the strongest earthquake I've ever experienced", Keeshia Leyran, 27, told AFP news agency from Davao City, about 200 kilometres from the epicentre.

She continued: "People around me were panicking and running to go outside. There are hundreds of people here at the event, so I was more scared of a stampede happening to be honest."

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Computers toppled from desks

Radio announcer Leny Aranego of General Santos city in South Cotabato said the strong earthquake cracked walls and toppled some computers from desks.

Where did the quake hit?

The tremor occurred at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) in the Mindanao region, according to scientists.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said no tsunami was expected from the offshore quake, but there was the threat of damage and aftershocks.