| 2019 Batanes earthquake | |
| Local-Date: | 27 July 2019 |
| Local-Time: | 07:38 PST (Philippine Standard Time) |
| Timestamp: | 2019-07-26 23:38 |
| Anss-Url: | us60004w8x |
| Isc-Event: | 616091865 |
| Location: | 20.807°N 121.986°W |
| Magnitude: | 6.0 |
| Depth: | 430NaN0 |
| Type: | Strike-slip |
| Affected: | Batanes, Philippines |
| Intensity: | |
| Tsunami: | No |
| Foreshocks: | 5.4 |
| Casualties: | 9 dead, 60 injured |
The 2019 Batanes earthquake was a magnitude 6.0 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.
The main shock of the earthquake was the 6.0 magnitude earthquake which had a depth of focus of 43km (27miles). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) earlier recorded the tectonic earthquake as a magnitude 6.4 but later revised their records.[1] [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 12km (07miles)[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]
| Intensity Scale | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| VI | Itbayat, Batanes | |
| IV | Basco, Ivana & Mahatao, Batanes | |
| III | Uyugan & Sabtang, Batanes |
| Intensity of Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Event[8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Intensity Scale | Location | |
| VII | Itbayat, Batanes | |
| V | Basco, Ivana & Mahatao, Batanes | |
| IV | Uyugan & Sabtang, Batanes | |
At least 9 people were killed and 60 injured due to the earthquakes.[10] 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,[11] two schools, and two health centers were also damaged.[12]
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 911 families or 2,963 individuals were affected by the earthquakes.[12] The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on their part made an estimate that the damage caused by the earthquake costed at least .[13]
President Rodrigo Duterte made a visit to Batanes on July 28, 2019, to personally check the situation in the province.[12] He also made a pledge for the government to release 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.[14] Then-vice president Leni Robredo also visited the island province.[15]
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.[12] The agency also shipped construction materials for new houses meant for the victims of the earthquake.[16]
On August 1, 2019, Batanes was placed under a state of calamity.[17]
China through its embassy in Manila donated as aid following the earthquake.[18]