A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mindanao this week, killing at least 61 people and leaving 40 missing. Beyond the human toll, the tremor triggered significant geological changes, raising the seabed by up to two meters.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology attributed the shift to movement along the Cotabato Trench. This tectonic activity pushed up coastlines in Sarangani and Davao Occidental, extending shorelines by as much as 200 meters in some areas.
Environment officials report that long stretches of coral reefs and seagrass beds have been exposed. Images show dead fish and aquatic life lying on the newly revealed ocean floor. Residents initially feared toxic fumes from decaying sea organisms, but authorities are now assessing the full extent of the ecological damage.