TRIVIA ABOUT PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKES

Earthquake facts:
The Philippines is located within the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a series of
interconnected seismic plates that cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The
country sits on the Philip-pine Plate, which is sandwiched by the Pacific Plate and
Indian Plate. The Philippine Plate is also seen to be one of the involved seismic
plates that caused the magnitude 8.9 earthquake in Japan.
5 deities in Philippine mythology that were said to cause earthquakes:
Kolyog ( Ifugao) - who is believed to be responsible for earthquakes. Kolyog is
considered by Ifugaos as the spirit of earthquakes.
Panlinugun (Visayan) - is considered as the god of the Underworld and of Earth
and is believed to cause earthquakes.
Lakanapi (Kapampangan) - is a fire god known to ancient Kapampangans as a
dragon serpent that moves in the veins of the Indung Tibuan.
Indung Tibuan - the mother earth goddess, causing her to move and produce
earthquakes.
Dumakulem (Tagalog) - is known as the sky god who creates mountains.
5 of the strongest earthquakes that caused major destruction in the Philippines:
Bohol earthquake (2013)
A 7.2-magnitude tremor that killed more than 150 people, destroyed century-old
churches and affected more than 3 million families in Central Visayas.
Mindoro earthquake (1994)
A total of 1530 houses in the coastal areas of Baco and Calapan, Oriental Mindoro
were swept away by a tsunami generated by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. The
tragedy also killed 78 people.
Casiguran earthquake (1968)
This 7.3-magnitude earthquake killed a total of 270 people and also caused
massive landslides and tsunami in Casiguran, Aurora. Almost 300 people were
also killed when the Ruby Tower in Binondo collapsed as a result of the tremor.
Luzon earthquake (1990)
On July 16, 1990, one of the strongest earthquakes to ever strike the country
occurred in several areas of Central Luzon and Cordillera region. This 7.8-
magnitude tremor resulted in a total of 1,621 deaths and serious damage in
properties.
Moro Gulf earthquake (1976)
With a 7.9 magnitude and almost 3,000 casualties, this Mindanao earthquake is
officially the strongest and deadliest earthquake in Philippine history. Almost 40,
000 people in Regions 9 and 12 were also left homeless by this tragedy.
How many Earthquakes occur in the Philippines every day?
The Philippines is an earthquake-prone country, registering quakes every day,
though most are not felt. Phivolcs records an average of 20 earthquakes a day and
100 to 150 earthquakes are felt per year.
What is the longest fault line in the Philippines?
The 1,200-km-long Philippine fault zone (PFZ) is a major tectonic feature that
transects the whole Philippine archipelago from northwestern Luzon to
southeastern Mindanao.
5 major fault line in the Philippines
1. Western Philippine Fault
2. Eastern Philippine Fault
3. South of Mindanao Fault
4. Central Philippine Fault
5. Marikina/Valley Fault System