Earthquakes that devastated the Philippines

earthquake
• An earthquake is an intense shaking of Earth’s
surface. The shaking is caused by movements in
Earth’s outermost layer.
Why Do Earthquakes Happen?

• Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly

breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the
seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two blocks of
rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little.
... When the rocks break, the earthquake occurs.
Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake in Luzon (1645)
• The 1645 Luzon earthquake was one of the most
destructive earthquakes to hit the Philippines. It occurred on November
30 at about 08:00 PM local time on Luzon Island in the northern part of
the country. The island was struck by a 7.5 Ms tremor produced by the
San Manuel and Gabaldon Faults (Nueva Ecija) in the central section of
the island.
• Aftershocks continued a few days, then on December 4 at 11:00 pm,
another event (allegedly equal or stronger than November 30) hit the
area, causing further death and destruction.
• In Manila, damage was entirely severe: it almost "crumbled" ten newly
constructed cathedrals in the capital, residential villas and other
buildings. An estimated number of 600 Spanish people were killed, and
about 3,000 Spanish were injured.
Magnitude 7.3 earthquake in Casiguran (1968)
• The 1968 Casiguran earthquake occurred on 04:19:22 local time on
August 2 with a moment magnitude of 7.6 and a maximum Mercalli
intensity of IX (Violent). The thrust earthquake's epicenter was in
Casiguran, Quezon (now part of Aurora province). A small non-
destructive tsunami was generated and at least 207 people were
killed. The majority of the deaths occurred in the collapse of a six-
story building in Manila.
Magnitude 8.0 Earthquake in Mindanao (1976)
• Several fault zones in the region are capable of producing major
earthquakes and destructive local tsunamis. The two major fault
zones that are most dangerous are the Sulu Trench in the Sulu Sea
and the Cotabato Trench, a region of subduction that crosses the
Celebes Sea and the Moro Gulf in Southern Mindanao. According to
the PHIVOLCS historical catalog of earthquakes for the last 100
years, this region of the southern Philippines is characterized by
moderate to high seismicity. The most recent earthquake along the
Cotabato Trench region of subduction being the March 6, 2002
earthquake in Southern Mindanao.
Magnitude 6.5 Earthquake in Ilocos norte
(1983)
• The magnitude 6.5 quake in Ilocos Norte on August 17, 1983
happened around 8:18 p.m. and resulted to 16 casualties and 47
people got injured.
• It caused damages on various establishments such as schools,
buildings, malls, residences, and etc. There were also landslides and
sand boils that followed the event.
Magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Mindoro (1994)
• November 15, 1994, at around 3:15 a.m., a magnitude 7.1
earthquake rocked Mindoro. A gigantic 8.5 meters (28 ft) tsunami
then followed which devastated the islands of Baco and Calapan,
Mindoro.
• A total of 7,566 houses were washed out and some 78 people died
because of that tragedy.
Magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Central and
southern Mindanao (2002)
• A magnitude 7.5 earthquake resulted to the death of 15 people and
injuring around a hundred more in Central and Southern Mindanao
on March 5, 2002.
• The said quake originated near the Cotabato Trench that was
followed by a tsunami. But it was the flood that was generated by
landslides and falling debris that caused damage to an estimated
800 buildings.
Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake in Central Visayas
(2012)
• A total of 51 people died, 62 still missing and 112 were injured when
a 6.9 earthquake Central Visayas, particularly Negros and parts of
Mindanao on February 6, 2012.
• It caused a landslide which buried a barangay, damaged 15,483
houses, and a total damage of ₱383-million on infrastructures and
buildings was recorded.
Magnitude 7.6 earthquake happened near
Guiunan, Eastern Samar (2012)
• A very strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 happened near Guiuan,
Eastern Samar on August 31, 2012 that was felt as far as Mindanao.
• The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a
tsunami warning Level 3, but it was lifted 5 hours later.
• The quake caused damage on homes, bridges, and other infrastructures. There
were also power interruptions in the affected areas. But despite the intensity
only one person was reported dead and one injured because of the landslide in
Cagayan de Oro City.
• The bad thing about an earthquake is that we cannot prevent it and we cannot
predict it. We do not know when exactly it would happen. Because of that, it
would be better for us to be prepared at all times. Participate in Earthquake
drills conducted by authorities, keep an emergency kit in the house, don’t panic
when it happens and most importantly don’t forget to pray.
Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake in Bohol (2013)
• I can still remember how people panicked in the morning of October 15,
2013. It was around 8:12 a.m. when a strong earthquake was felt here in
Tacloban City. Only to find out after the lights came back that what we
have experienced was nothing compared to the damage it caused in
Bohol which was the epicenter of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake.
• The quake affected most of Central Visayas, particularly Bohol and Cebu.
It was felt in the whole area of Visayas and reached as far as Masbate
Island in the north and Cotabato in Southern Mindanao.
• According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (NDRRMC), a total of 222 people died, 8 went missing and 976
others were injured. An estimated 73,000 structures were damaged
wherein more than 14,500 of which were destroyed totally