February 8, 1990 Tsunami: Philippines

The 1990 earthquake generated small to moderate tsunami waves which affected the SE portion of Bohol. The maximum runup height of 2.11m was measured at AND that extends to MAB in the northeast and to TAG in the southwest. Between DIM and PAN, there were only reports of the sea level lowering, but no unusual increase in wave height or tsunami inundation. The reported tsunami at PAN and TAG could probably be due to possible island trapping effect. It is noted that most notable tsunami runup heights were concentrated along the southeastern portion of Bohol Island - including a report from Camiguin island (CAM) of 1.2m based on PHIVOLCS official logs and records at the Hibok-hibok Volcano Observatory. The measured tsunami runup heights had an average height of 1m which was not sufficient enough to cause much destruction. The horizontal tsunami inundation was variable but generally extended to a few tens of meters from the shoreline. Fortunately, the local low tide at the time was low. If the tsunami had occurred at high tide inundation would have been at least 1m higher than what was observed. (reference #9684)

The force of the incoming waves from the sea caused Alijuan River in Duero to flow inland immediately after the earthquake. Very localized tsunami in Bohol Strait and Camiguin shoreline (Umbal et al, 1990) were observed. Tsunami probability ranking is “positive”. Tsunami height is estimated to be 1 m in Duero and Camiguin Island shoreline facing Bohol. (reference #10958)