March 5, 2002 Tsunami: Mindanao Island, Philippines

Small-level, local tsunamis affecting the towns of Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat province, and Maitum and Kiamba in Sarangani province, were generated by the 2116 UTC 5 March 2002 earthquake in the southern Philippines... Credible re-ports from residents in coastal towns and villages observed the sea receding 50-150 meters from the shore almost immediately after the earthquake. A 150-m recession and estimated 3-m high wave, was reported by General Magsino, a participant in the US-RP "Balikatan" Exercise, who ordered everyone to immediately evacuate to high ground. Two boats were damaged when the waves returned after a few minutes. In Maitum, the sea receded 300 m from the shore and the onrushing waves destroyed a pump boat; dead fish were observed soon after. In Kiamba, the sea receded 5-8 m and then rose back again, and people fled to the mountain. Subsequent tsunami modelling in collaboration with JICA expert Dr. Yuchiro Tanioka predicted 3-m high tsunami in Palimbang followed by a recession a minute after the earthquake, which were consistent with eyewitness accounts and damage reports. (reference #3610)