1968 Casiguran earthquake
Coordinates: 16°16′59″N 122°02′38″E / 16.283°N 122.044°E
The 1968 Casiguran earthquake occurred on August 2, 1968 at a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale. The earthquake's epicenter was located in Casiguran, Quezon (now part of Aurora province). This was deemed the most destructive earthquake in the Philippines prior to the 1990 Luzon earthquake, and generated a tsunami that reached as far as Japan.
The city of Manila was the hardest hit with 268 people were killed and 261 more were injured. Many structures that suffered severe damage were built near the mouth of the Pasig River on huge alluvial deposits. A number of buildings were damaged beyond repair while others only suffered cosmetic damage. Two hundred and sixty people died during the collapse of the 6-story Ruby Tower, located in the district of Binondo. The entire building, save for a portion of the first and second floors at its northern end, was destroyed. Allegations of poor design and construction, as well as use of low-quality building materials, arose.[1] In the District of Santa Ana, one person was injured by debris from a damaged apartment building.
Two more people from Aurora sub province and Pampanga died as a direct result of the quake. Around the town of Casiguran, there were several reports of landslides, the most destructive one at Casiguran Bay.
[edit] References
- ^ "Group warns vs substandard construction materials". ABS-CBN Interactive. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?storyId=59305. Retrieved March 12, 2007.[dead link]
