BANGKOK, 31 August 2012 (NNT) – A massive earthquake has struck off the eastern coast of the Philippines, prompting a tsunami warning in many countries. However, it has been confirmed that Thailand will not be impacted.

The National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) reported that a 7.9-magnitude underwater quake erupted off the eastern shore of the Philippines today at 19.47 hrs, Thailand time. The epicenter was located 106 kilometers away from Samar Island at the depth of 34 kilometers.

As a consequence, a tsunami alert was initially issued for several countries, including Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Indonesia and the Philippines. The alert was, however, lifted for many of them shortly afterwards, except for the latter two countries.

-TN