2017 Batangas earthquakes

The 2017 Batangas earthquakes were an earthquake swarm[2] that occurred from early April to mid-August 2017, affecting the province of Batangas in the Philippines and other nearby areas.

2017 Batangas earthquakes
2017 Southern Luzon earthquakes
The partially damaged Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas City after the earthquake
UTC time2017-04-08 07:09:23
ISC event610639847
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local dateApril 8, 2017 (2017-04-08)
Local time15:09:21 PST
Magnitude6.0 Ms[note 1]
Depth8 km (5 mi)
TypeTectonic
Areas affectedCalabarzon, Mimaropa, Metro Manila
Total damage₱18 million (April 4 earthquake)
Max. intensityPEIS – VII (Destructive)
TsunamiNo
Aftershocks2,390
Casualties6 injured

The first major earthquake occurred on April 4 at 8:58 pm Philippine Standard Time, with a surface wave magnitude of 5.5 off the coast of Batangas. According to the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale, the earthquake had an intensity of VI (Very Strong).[3]

On April 8, stronger earthquakes occurred in the province. The PHIVOLCS recorded the strongest earthquake later that afternoon that had a surface wave magnitude of 6.0.[1] Another earthquake struck on August 11, with a surface wave magnitude of 6.3.

Three years later, Taal Volcano, about 25 kilometers from the epicenter, erupted after 43 years of inactivity.

Earthquakes

April 4 earthquake

The quake was recorded by PHIVOLCS on April 4, 2017 at 8:58 PM (UTC+8). Based on that record, the epicenter of the 5.5 earthquake was located 7 kilometers northwest of Tingloy, Batangas. The earthquake was of tectonic origin. Metro Manila and nearby provinces felt shaking at Intensity 3 while Obando, Bulacan felt Intensity 4, and Batangas City experienced Intensity 6 shaking.[4][5] The earthquake is suspected to be the caused by the movement of the Lubang Fault.[6] At 1:00 pm on April 7, PHIVOLCS stated that they have recorded 934 aftershocks; 118 of which were plotted and while 14 were reportedly felt.[7]

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced no tsunami warning following the earthquake.

April 8 earthquakes

Two earthquakes occurred near the towns of Mabini and Tanauan on April 8. PHIVOLCS recorded the first earthquake which occurred near Mabini at 3:07 pm as having a surface wave magnitude of 5.6 while the second earthquake which happened in Talaga Proper, Mabini, Batangas, at 3:09 pm was recorded as having a surface wave magnitude of 6.0. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the first as a magnitude 5.7 earthquake while the second as a moment magnitude of 5.9 earthquake.[8][1]

August 11 earthquake

PHIVOLCS recorded the earthquake which occurred at 1:28 pm as having a surface wave magnitude of 6.3. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake as a moment magnitude of 6.2 earthquake.

Shocks
Shakemap of the strongest earthquake on April 8, 2017 which was prepared by the USGS.

Earthquakes with at least magnitude 5 as recorded by PHIVOLCS:

Date / time
(PST)		 Magnitude Type Depth
Hypocenter		 Epicenter Ref.
Location Latitude Longitude
April 4, 2017   20:58:45 5.5 Ms 7 km (4.3 mi) Tingloy 13.68°N 120.93°E Report
April 8, 2017   15:07:55 5.6 Ms 27 km (17 mi) Mabini 13.75°N 120.93°E Report
April 8, 2017   15:09:21 6.0 Ms 8 km (5.0 mi) Mabini 13.70°N 120.93°E Report
August 11, 2017   13:28:00 6.3 Ms 177 km (110 mi) Nasugbu 13.95°N 120.52°E Report

Impact

Damages on some buildings, resorts and houses have been reported. The Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours or Taal Basilica, which is considered to be the largest Roman Catholic Church in Asia and located in Taal, Batangas, sustained damage during the April 4 earthquake. The April 8 earthquakes caused concrete blocks to fall from the church facade.[9] The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church in Batangas City also sustained damage on its walls during the April 8 quake.[10]

The Batangas Provincial capitol also sustained damaged from the April 4 earthquake. The initial estimated cost of damage to the building was ₱18 million . On April 5, the Batangas provincial government declared a state of calamity.[11]

Six people were injured by the 8 April quake. Around 14,000 people were temporarily relocated in evacuation centers.[12]

During his installation on April 21, 2017, Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera ordered Father Aurelio Oscar Dimaapi to temporarily close the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in order to prevent injuries.

In the aftermath of the August 11 tremor, many students were disturbed since the tremor struck during class hours. Several schools suspended classes after the earthquake. So far, no damage has been reported.

Power

The earthquake also damaged several power plants supplying the Luzon Grid, like one generator unit of the Ilijan Power Plant, one unit of Avion Power Plant, all units of Santa Rita Combined Cycle Power Plant, and one unit of San Lorenzo Combined Cycle Power Plant, resulting to a loss of 2,584 MW. The switchyard of San Lorenzo Power Plant was damaged and a transmission tower was toppled also by the earthquakes. As a result, the power supply reserve for Luzon decreased, leading the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to place the Luzon Grid on "yellow" alert on April 10 and 11, and the Department of Energy ordered immediate repair of power plants damaged.[13][14] A policy to protect the grid from earthquake damage is being drafted by the Department of Energy after the quakes.[15]

See also

References
  1. "Earthquakes hit Batangas, felt in other areas in Luzon". CNN Philippines. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  2. "Series of quakes 'normal', says PHIVOLCS chief". ABS-CBN News. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  3. Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz (April 5, 2017). "5.5 magnitude earthquake hits Batangas". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  4. Jaymee T. Gamil. "503 aftershocks recorded after Batangas quake". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  5. "Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Batangas". CNN Philippines. April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  6. "Magnitude 5.5 quake rocks Batangas". ABS-CBN News. April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  7. Flores, Helen (April 8, 2017). "Over 900 aftershocks rock Batangas". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  8. "Batangas residents flee to safety after twin quakes". Rappler. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  9. "Concrete blocks fall from Taal Basilica during latest Batangas quake". GMA News. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  10. "Batangas residents spend another anxious night after second quake". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  11. "Quake-hit Batangas under state of calamity". Rappler. April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  12. Maricar Cinco (April 11, 2017). "Trauma counseling for quake victims". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  13. Cordero, Ted (April 11, 2017). "DOE pushes for 'speedy' repair of quake-hit power plants". GMA News. GMA News. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  14. Velasco, Myrna (April 10, 2017). "Luzon grid threatened with rolling brownouts due to thin power reserve". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  15. Lectura, Leni (April 9, 2017). "DOE wants to make power facilities earthquake-proof". BusinessMirror. Retrieved April 17, 2017.

Notes
  1. PHIVOLCS recorded the strongest earthquake as having a surface wave magnitude of 6.0 while the United States Geological Survey recorded the same earthquake's moment magnitude as 5.9. Addressing the discrepancy, PHIVOLCS notes the USGS has a relatively small number of stations in the Philippines, claiming that their figure is more accurate.[1]
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