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Tsunami and earthquakes can happen anytime around the Pacific Ring of Fire - from California up and around Alaska down through Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. The Philippines is no stranger to earthquakes - the Philippine archipelago was largely created by the tectonic squabble between the Eurasian and Pacific plates, forming the Philippine Plate as a distinct entity.
Tsunami Philippines
Tsunami in the Philippines are extremely rare.
The last significant tsunami in the Philippines occurred in the Verde Island Passage (between Batangas & Mindoro Island and affecting Puerto Galera) in 1976. The tsunami wave resulting was minor (only 2-3 meters) when it reached land. Because tsunami in the Philippines are so rare, those who were drowned were actually opportunist beachcombers who were interested to extract goodies from the suddenly exposed deep coral pools, not realising that the tsunami wave would follow the rapidly receding water.
Tsunami Warnings
For current and recent tsunami warnings for the Pacific and Indian Ocean: U.S. National Weather Service Pacific & Indian Ocean Tsunami Warnings Center
Earthquake Philippines
Latest from Taal Volcano: Alert Level raised to 2 because of increased seismic activity since 26th April. View Taal Volcano now using the Taal Lake webcam.
Latest earthquake near Metro Manila: 25th March, 2010, magnitude 6.0, 05:29:30 GMT (13:29:30 local), duration 28 seconds, 85 miles SW of Manila City, closest habitations Lubang Island, felt in Metro Manila as magnitude 2.3, no noticeable damage to structures. USGS earthquake info
The majority of Philippine earthquakes occur somewhere near the Philippines' Pacific East coast (especially the East coasts of Mindanao & Samar), where a significant tectonic subduction zone has created the second deepest ocean trench in the World - named the Philippine Deep or the Philippine Trench - with a depth greater than 34,000 feet!
A measurable earthquake in the Philippines (greater than Magnitude 2.5) occurs almost every day somewhere, but most people are completely unaware of them - in the ten years from 1998 to 2008 only three earthquakes were felt slightly in Metro Manila, all three earthquakes resulted from seismic activity in the South China Sea, along the geological fault that runs North - South off the West coast of Zambales province. It is rare to have an earthquake in the Philippines that measures greater than Magnitude 6.0.
The last significantly destructive earthquake in the Philippines occurred on 16th July, 1990, South of the mountain city of Baguio, Benguet province. The Baguio Earthquake was measured as Magnitude 7.8 and created a surface rupture measuring approximately 125km. Damage was apparent to buildings in the provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija and Aurora. The attributable death toll from the 1990 Baguio Earthquake was in excess of 1,600 people.
Remember: earthquakes do not kill - buildings kill; explore the Philippines' beautiful beaches, rivers, mountains and rain forests, instead of its cities.
Historic Philippine Earthquake Information
For detailed historic Philippine earthquake / seismic event information plus: seismic events / earthquakes during the past seven days, earthquake maps, earthquake graphics and related technical data we recommend: U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program
The Marikina Valley Fault
The most significant, historic earthquake zone (geological fault) in the Philippines is located just 10km East of Manila City and is known as the Marikina Valley Fault. Archeological evidence tells us that the Marikina Valley Fault earthquake zone, that runs almost North-South through Marikina, and almost exactly parallels the route of the C-5 circumferential road around Metro Manila, slips on average every 310 years delivering a magnitude 6.0-7.0 earthquake (maximum estimated 7.5). The last time the Marikina Valley Fault earthquake zone slipped is calculated to have been in 1700AD, meaning that this geological fault is due for another movement at any time . . . even more reasons to chill out on the beaches, especially around Puerto Galera. |
