Strong earthquake shakes Surigao, Philippines – 23 injured so far.
Last update: March 16, 2012 at 1:06 pm by By Armand Vervaeck and James Daniell
A strong earthquake has struck the Philippines near Surigao. With a magnitude of M5.9 and a depth of 16km, some damage could be expected in Surigao. The town of Dinagat is only 2km from the predicted epicenter
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : Mw5.9 (USGS), Mw5.7 (PHIVOLCS)
UTC Time : Friday, March 16, 2012 at 07:58:06 UTC
Local time at epicenter : Friday, March 16, 2012 at 03:58:06 PM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 44km (USGS), 16km (PHIVOLCS)
Geo-location(s) :
- 27 km (17 miles) NNE (28°) from Surigao, Mindanao, Philippines
- 116 km (72 miles) S (187°) from Guiuan, Samar, Philippines
- 118 km (74 miles) N (4°) from Butuan, Mindanao, Philippines
- 719 km (447 miles) SE (135°) from MANILA, Philippines
Update 12:00 UTC:- An additional 20 people were injured when a stampede occured due to panic at a local shopping center. People were crushed or were injured by glass doors smashing. Most people have returned home, however 2 people are still in hospital under observation.
The 3 people injured – reported before – were a teacher and two students who only suffered minor injuries when they were hit by a cable that broke in a public gymnasium. Damage is still being quantified by local government and the NDRRMC.
Update 09:12 UTC:- 3 people have been reported injured from the earthquake. The earthquake has been upgraded to CATDAT Orange.
Minor cracks have been observed at the Gasiano Mall and Provincial Gymnasium – both in Surigao City.
Update 08:53 UTC:- The following intensities have been reported from various Philippines regions:-
Intensity VI – Surigao City
Intensity V – General Luna, Surigao del Norte; Basilisa, Dinagat; San Ricardo, Southern Leyte
Intensity IV – Carrascal, Surigao del Sur; Tandag City
Intensity III – Tolosa and Tacloban Leyte; Davao City; Bislig City; Borongan, Oras, Sulat, Dolores, Eastern Samar; Cateel, Taragona, Davao Oriental;
Cagayan de Oro City; Cagwait, Surigao del Sur; Catbalogan, Samar; Maasin & Hinunangan, Southern Leyte;
Intensity II – Cebu City; Butuan City; San Agustin, Surigao del Sur
Intensity I – Hibok-Hibok, Camiguin
Update 08:20 UTC:- Thankyou for the many felt reports from all the readers. Many reports of shaking for 20 to 30 seconds have occurred. This could be bad news for the Dinagat Islands and Surigao City.
Update 08:05 UTC:- PHIVOLCS has upgraded the magnitude to M5.9 with a depth of 16km. Damage is now expected by PHIVOLCS, and the NDRRMC will be giving a report.
At least 10 damaging earthquakes have occurred within 100km of the present epicenter with magnitudes between Mw5.0 and Mw6.0. An earthquake in 1907 caused damage quite close to this epicenter as well as 1990 with deaths, according to the CATDAT Damaging Earthquakes Database.
Background:-
138000 people live in the city of Surigao.
PHIVOLCS has said that they are not expecting damage however the following felt intensities have occurred.
Intensity V (PEIS) – General Luna, Surigao del Norte – strong shaking.
Intensity IV – Carrascal, Surigao del Sur
Intensity III – Tolosa and Tacloban Leyte
PAGER is expecting intensities of VI.
A report from Madrid on the Surigao peninsula is of intensity VII (however this is only one value). Surigao has 2 reported intensities of V.
Considering the Masbate City earthquake of M5.2 and 23km depth the other week with a lower ground motion which caused 10 injuries and some housing damage, it is expected that this earthquake will also cause damage.
The nearest populated places are: Buenavista (15km), Cadgianao (11km), Matas (7km), Layagoang (12km), Melgar (12km), Puerto Princesa (18km), Lipata (19km), Valencia (19km). The closest civilian airport is Surigao (29km) according to GDACS, and they have released an orange alert.
Aerial View of Surigao (Wiki Commons)
for more information and updates, go to: http://earthquake-report.com/2012/03/16/strong-earthquake-shakes-surigao-philippines/