Quake Off The Philippines Triggers Tsunami Alert

Aug. 31, 2012— -- A powerful earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the Philippines Friday, knocking out power to several cities, and triggering tsunami alerts all along the "ring of fire," the most active quake zone in the Pacific.

The magnitude 7.6 quake hit roughly 66 miles east of Samar Island, and had a depth of 20 miles, according to the USGS. One person died in Japan in a house collapse, the AP reported.

Tsunami alerts were issued in seven countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. Most were lifted shortly after, but along the eastern coast of Japan, still rebuilding from a devastating tsunami last March, residents were told to seek higher ground as a precaution, according to broadcaster NHK.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast small waves to hit the coast of Japan late Friday night. The agency later lifted all tsunami alerts.

In the southern Cagayan de Oro city in the Philippines, local media reported one house collapsed, while power outages were reported in several other towns and cities across central and southern Philippines.