2019 Batanes earthquake

The 2019 Batanes earthquake was a magnitude 5.9 magnitude earthquake which struck Batanes, Philippines on July 27, 2019. It was preceded by a 5.4 magnitude foreshock. Nine people were killed by the combined effects of the earthquakes.

2019 Batanes earthquake
The Itbayat Church after the earthquakes
UTC time2019-07-26 23:38
ISC event616091865
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date27 July 2019
Local time07:38 PST (Philippine Standard Time)
Magnitude5.9 Mw
Depth43 km (27 mi)
Epicenter20.807°N 121.986°E / 20.807; 121.986
TypeStrike-slip
Areas affectedBatanes, Philippines
Max. intensityPEIS – VII (Destructive)
MMI – VI (Strong)
TsunamiNo
ForeshocksMw  5.4
Casualties9 dead, 60 injured

Earthquake

The main shock of the 2019 Batanes earthquake was the 5.9 magnitude earthquake[1] which had a depth of focus of 43 kilometers (27 mi). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) earlier recorded the tectonic earthquake as a magnitude 6.4 but later revised their records.[2] The earthquake occurred at 7:38 a.m. (UTC+8) on July 27, 2019 near Itbayat, Batanes.[3]

A noted foreshock[1] of the earthquake was the magnitude 5.4 earthquake which struck the same town at 4:16 a.m. (UTC+8). It had a depth of focus of 12 kilometers (7.5 mi)[4]

One of the stronger aftershocks was a magnitude 5.8 earthquake which occurred at 9:24 a.m. (UTC+8).[5]

According to the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale, the earthquake was most felt in the town of Itbayat, Batanes at Intensity VII while the other towns of the same province reported a lesser intensity; Basco at Intensity V, Sabtang and Ivana at Intensity IV.[5] According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake had a maximum intensity of VI or has caused "Strong" shaking according to the Modified Mercalli intensity scale.[6]

No tsunami warning was raised following the main earthquake.[7]

Casualties and damages

At least 9 people were killed and 60 injured due to the earthquakes.[8] The historic, Santa Maria de Mayan Church in Itbayat, built in 1888, sustained heavy damage from the earthquake with its bell tower falling off. Several stone houses,[9] two schools, and two health centers were also damaged.[10]

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 911 families or 2,963 individuals were affected by the Batanes earthquakes.[10] The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on their part made an estimate that the damage caused by the earthquake costed at least ₱292 million .[11]

Response

President Rodrigo Duterte made a visit to Batanes on July 28, 2019 to personally check the situation in the province.[10] He also made a pledge for the government to release ₱40 million for the construction of a new clinic with Duterte citing the uncertainty regarding the integrity of the still functional Itbayat District Hospital which sustained minimal cracks.[12] Vice President Leni Robredo also visited the island province.[13]

The NDRRMC also provided tents and other relief goods to people displaced due to earthquake via C-130. Other provinces and private organizations also provided aid to Batanes.[10] The agency also shipped construction materials for new houses meant for the victims of the earthquake.[14]

By August 1, 2019, the whole province of Batanes has been placed under a state of calamity.[15]

China through its embassy in Manila donated ₱10 million as aid following the earthquake.[16]

See also

References
  1. "Magnitude 5.9 quake rocks Batanes". ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  2. "5.9 magnitude quake jolts Batanes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  3. "2nd earthquake hits Itbayat, Batanes at magnitude 5.9". GMA News. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  4. "Magnitude 5.4 earthquake hits Itbayat, Batanes". GMA News. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  5. Arayta, Maria Cristina (27 July 2019). "8 dead, 60 hurt in Batanes quake; public warned vs. aftershocks". PTV News. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  6. "M 5.9 - 14km E of Itbayat, Philippines". earthquake.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  7. "Phivolcs: No tsunami threats after 5.9 quake in Batanes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  8. Mercado, Nathan Alcantara, Neil Arwin. "UPDATE: 9 dead, 60 injured in Batanes quakes". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  9. "Itbayat church, ancestral homes damaged in Batanes earthquake". Rappler. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  10. Acosta, Rene; Nicolas, Bernadette (29 July 2019). "Duterte visits quake-hit Batanes as residents await additional aid". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  11. Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (1 August 2019). "Batanes quake left P292 M infra damage – DPWH". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  12. "Duterte OKs P40 M for new clinic in quake-hit Batanes". Tempo. 28 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  13. Baccay, Oliver (1 August 2019). "VP Robredo visits quake victims in Itbayat". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  14. Visaya, Villamor Jr. (1 August 2019). "NDRRMC sends construction materials to quake-hit Batanes". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  15. Baccay, Oliver (1 August 2019). "Batanes placed under state of calamity". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  16. Rocamora, Joyce Ann (31 July 2019). "China extends P10-M aid for Batanes". Philippine Canadian Inquirer. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
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