A powerful earthquake dominated science and disaster news today after a magnitude 7.8 tremor struck off Mindanao in the southern Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings across parts of the western Pacific and sending residents to higher ground. While some alerts were later lifted, the quake’s impact on land was severe: death toll estimates climbed into the dozens across reports, with more than 200 people injured and widespread structural damage, including collapsed buildings. Authorities continued assessing coastal effects after reports of a small tsunami and waves reaching nearby shores. The disruption extended to infrastructure as well, with operations at General Santos airport curtailed and commercial flights suspended to prioritize emergency and humanitarian access. As rescue teams worked through shifting casualty counts and damage assessments, the disaster underscored the region’s exposure to powerful offshore seismic events and their cascading risks.