I have been researching the geology of the Philippines and came across this: The Moro Gulf Tsunami "On August 16, 1976, a devastating earthquake on the Cotabato Trench caused destruction on the island of Mindanao - the southernmost and largest of the Phillipine Islands. The destructive tsunami that was generated in the Gulf of Moro and in the Celebes Sea killed about 8,000 people in coastal communities in North and South Zamboanga, North and South Lanao, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat (Mindanao), and in the neighboring Sulu Islands. This was the worst earthquake and tsunami disaster in the history of the Phillipines. Also, the Indonesian Hydrographic Office reported that unusual wave activity affected the islands of Sulawesi (Celebes Island) and Borneo." Earthquake Origin Time, Magnitude, Epicenter, Focal Depth and Aftershocks "The earthquake occurred at 16:10 UTC of August 16, 1976 (local date August 17, 1976). The epicenter was in the Celebes Sea between the islands of Mindanao and Borneo. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center's preliminary magnitude was given as 8.0 on the Richter scale and as 7.9 by other sources. There were many aftershocks following the main earthquake. A major aftershock on August 17 (local date) had a magnitude of 6.8. It was proceeded by at least fifteen smaller aftershocks." Lessons Learned "Ninety percent of all the deaths were caused by the tsunami. Hardest hit were Moslem Communities where the most of the homes were close to the shoreline or built on piles in the sea. The great number of deaths in these communities is attributed to lack of awareness of the potential danger from earthquakes and tsunamis in the region. Although in some areas a 5 to 15 minute interval passed after the earthquake and before the arrival of the tsunami waves, the people in the area did not seek higher ground after the earthquake, but remained in their homes." http://www.drgeorgepc.com/Tsunami1976Phillipines.html
