1990 Luzon earthquake

Earthquake in the Philippines January 2023 June 2026 1990 Luzon earthquake Hyatt Terraces Baguio - 16 July 1990 Earthquake (colour correction).jpg The collapsed Hyatt Terraces Baguio Hotel after the earthquake in Baguio, July 16, 1990 1990-07-16 07:26:36 362868 iscgem362868 1990 07 16 16:26:36 local timephdst The Philippines was observing daylight saving time at the time of the earthquake.https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/history-of-daylight-savings-time-in-the-philippines-a1057-20240830-lfrm The Philippines Actually Observed Daylight Saving Time in the Past – History of Daylight Saving Time in the Philippines Esquire Philippines Dela Cruz Christa I. June 8, 2026 August 30, 2024 The DST program was lifted through Executive Order No. 415, which was issued four days after the earthquake and became effective on July 28, 1990, eight days after the issuance of the executive order and twelve days after the earthquake occurred.https://lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo1990/eo_415_1990.html Executive Order No. 415 The Lawphil Project – Arellano Law Foundation June 8, 2026 July 20, 1990 LIFTING THE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME (DST) PROGRAM INSTITUTED UNDER THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 17, SERIES OF 1990, EFFECTIVE MIDNIGHT OF JULY 28, 1990 7.7 w y7.8 Ms1990 July 16 Ms7.8 Luzon Earthquake https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/earthquake/destructive-earthquake-of-the-philippines/2-uncategorised/212-1990-july-16-ms7-9-luzon-earthquake Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology February 21, 2013 October 1, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191001014511/https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/earthquake/destructive-earthquake-of-the-philippines/2-uncategorised/212-1990-july-16-ms7-9-luzon-earthquake live 25.1 km on 15.679 121.172 inline,title Strike-slip Central Luzon National Capital Region Cordillera Administrative Region Bicol Region Philippines 9 PEIS 8 45 seconds 1,621 killed 3,513 injured321 missing126,035 displacedhttps://youtube.com/watch?v=zQeyA8MNEBY Remembering the 1990 Luzon quake CNN Philippines YouTube January 17, 2022 January 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220117144001/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQeyA8MNEBY&feature=youtu.be live The 1990 Luzon earthquake occurred on July 16 at 4:26 p.m. (PHDTphdst) on the densely populated island of Luzon in the Philippines. The shock had a surface-wave magnitude of 7.8 and produced a 125 km-long ground rupture that stretched from Dingalan to Kayapa. The event was a result of strike-slip movements along the Philippine Fault and the Digdig Fault within the Philippine fault system. The earthquake's epicenter was near the town of Rizal, Nueva Ecija, northeast of Cabanatuan.The July 16 Luzon Earthquake: A Technical Monograph Inter-Agency Committee for Documenting and Establishing Database on the July 1990 Earthquake Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology 2001 http://earthquake.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/update_SOEPD/Earthquake/1990LuzonEQ_Monograph/foreword.html January 7, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080907021751/http://earthquake.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/update_SOEPD/Earthquake/1990LuzonEQ_Monograph/foreword.html September 7, 2008 An estimated 1,621 people were killed, The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2008: 140th Anniversary Edition World Almanac Education Group Inc. 2008 United States 305 978-1-60057-072-8 World Almanac The New York Times 2008 Almanac Penguin Group John W. Wright 2008 United States 753 978-0-14-311233-4 The New York Times Almanac most of the fatalities located in Central Luzon and the Cordillera region. Geology The Philippine archipelago represents a complex plate boundary between the Philippine Sea and Eurasian plates. To the east, oceanic lithosphere subducts westwards beneath the islands along the Philippine Trench. Off the west coast of Luzon, the Manila Trench accommodates eastward subduction. To its east is the East Luzon Trench, a convergent boundary that separates the Philippine Trench by a transform fault. The left-lateral strike-slip Philippine fault system runs through the islands. It is one of the longest strike-slip faults in the world. Understanding of its geology and earthquake history is limited. It extends north–south for 1,300 km from Mindanao to northern Luzon. On Luzon, the fault branches into multiple splay segments including the northerly trending Digdig Fault.Silcock David M. Beavan John Geodetic constraints on coseismic rupture during the 1990 Ms 7.8 Luzon, Philippines, earthquake Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 2001 2 7 1016 10.1029/2000GC000101 2001GGG.....2.1016S 128930684 free The event was one of the largest continental strike-slip earthquakes of the century. It was associated with a 125 km long surface rupture on the Philippine Fault System. Rupture occurred bilaterally, extending from the hypocenter, but most of the rupture occurred northwest for 75–100 km. About 25 km north of the epicenter, the largest slip was estimated at 10–15 m. Slip gradually decreased away from the zone. The Digdig Fault displayed 5–6 m of left-lateral displacement. Aftershocks occurred along a 100 km length of the fault. They displayed a range of focal mechanism including strike-slip, normal and thrust faulting.Velasco Aaron A. Ammon Charles J. Lay Thorne Hagerty Michael Rupture process of the 1990 Luzon, Philippines Mw 7.7, earthquake Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 1996 101 B10 22419–22434 10.1029/96JB02290 1996JGR...10122419V Impact left|thumb|USGS ShakeMap showing the earthquake's intensity. Luzon right 260 Strong earthquakes in Luzon All known magnitude ≥ 7.0 Mw in Central Luzon. In 1968, 1970,https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/iscgem796378 M 7.4 – Luzon, Philippines United States Geological Survey March 14, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180315070542/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/iscgem796378 March 15, 2018 live 1977,https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usp0000myv M 7.0 – Luzon, Philippines United States Geological Survey March 14, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180315070544/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usp0000myv March 15, 2018 live 1985,https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usp0002e2z M 7.0 – Luzon, Philippines United States Geological Survey March 14, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180315070635/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usp0002e2z March 15, 2018 live 1990, and 1999. The weaker 2019 Luzon earthquake (6.2 Mw) is included for comparison. Luzon 15.4 120.7 right 1985 Luzon 13.525 121.067 left 1994 Luzon 15.68 121.2 right 1990 Luzon 15.83 121.6 right 1970 Luzon 16.32 122.0 right 1968 Luzon 16.77 122.3 right 1977Luzon 15.7 119.7 left 1999Luzon 15.0 120.5 left 2019 Luzon 17.6 120.7 left 2022 The earthquake caused damage within an area of about 20,000 square kilometers, stretching from the mountains of the Cordillera Administrative Region and through the Central Luzon region. The earthquake was strongly felt in Metropolitan Manila, destroying many buildings and leading to panic and stampedes and ultimately three deaths in the National Capital Region,Earthquake in the Philippines Kills at Least 260, Including 50 Children in One School https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7D71638F934A25754C0A966958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink The New York Times July 17, 1990 January 8, 2009 July 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230730095435/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/17/world/earthquake-philippines-kills-least-258-including-48-children-one-school.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink live one of the lowest fatalities recorded in the wake of the tremor. The ceiling of a movie theater in Pasay reportedly collapsed pinning a number of moviegoers.July 17, 1990 Killer quake rumbles across Luzon Manila Standard https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8cBNEdFwSQkC&dat=19900717&printsec=frontpage&hl=en October 10, 2021 December 8, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241208191552/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8cBNEdFwSQkC&dat=19900717&printsec=frontpage&hl=en live The Southern Tagalog (nowadays Region 4A (Calabarzon), Mimaropa, and Aurora of Central Luzon) and Bicol Regions also felt the quake, but with low casualty figures. Then-president Cory Aquino, who was having a meeting with Senate leaders at Malacañang Palace in Manila, recounted that she hid under a long conference table during the earthquake. She later ordered the suspension of classes and the mobilization of relief agencies. Baguio The popular destination of Baguio, situated over 5000 feet above sea level, was among the areas hardest hit by the Luzon earthquake. The earthquake caused 28 collapsed buildings, including hotels, factories, and government and university buildings, as well as many private homes and establishments.Manila Assesses Damage and High Cost of Quake https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFDE1031F933A15754C0A966958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink The New York Times July 20, 1990 January 8, 2009 The quake destroyed electric, water and communication lines in the city.International notes Earthquake Disaster – Luzon, Philippines https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001734.htm August 31, 1990 Center for Disease Control January 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090109211035/http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001734.htm January 9, 2009 live The main vehicular route to Baguio, Kennon Road, as well as other access routes to the mountain city, were shut down due to landslides and it took three days before enough landslide debris was cleared to allow access by road to the stricken city. Baguio was isolated from the rest of the Philippines for the first 48 hours after the quake. Damage at Loakan Airport rendered access to the city by air limited to helicopters. American and Philippine Air Force C-130s evacuated many residents from this airport. Many city residents, as well as patients confined in hospital buildings damaged by the quake, were forced to stay inside tents set up in public places, such as in Burnham Park and in the streets. Looting of department stores in the city was reported.Jomar Kho Indanan The Worst of Times National Midweek August 22, 1990 46 Among the first rescuers to arrive at the devastated city were miners from Benguet Corporation, who focused on rescue efforts at the collapsed Hotel Nevada.http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=0&story_id=20806 https://web.archive.org/web/20090413021601/http://archive.inquirer.net/view.php?db=0&story_id=20806 April 13, 2009 How Baguio quake victim survived 15-day ordeal under rubble Moulic Gobleth December 10, 2004 Philippine Daily Inquirer January 13, 2009 Then Major Danilo A. Aquino of the Philippine Military Academy, was the ground commander under the supervision of General Arturo Enrile, mobilized cadet volunteers from day 1 of the rescue mission until the last day of the recovery mission. Miners hailed the Cadets as heroes for their act of bravery for staying in the buildings despite strong after shocks. A number of cadets were awarded the Bronze Cross for their heroic efforts. Teams sent by the Philippine government and by foreign governments and agencies likewise participated in the rescue and retrieval operations in Baguio. One of the more prominent buildings destroyed was the Hyatt Terraces Baguio Hotel, where at least eighty hotel employees and guests were killed, including at least four employees of the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation which ran the casino.Liquicia Rosario July 18, 1990 Hyatt Terraces: A crumpled ruin Manila Standard https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tZUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3797%2C2926517 October 10, 2021 October 10, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211010132209/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tZUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3797,2926517 liveJuly 18, 1990 Calamity in Baguio, Cabanatuan Manila Standard https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tZUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3001%2C2924366 Three hotel employees, however, were pulled out alive after having been buried under the rubble for nearly two weeks, and after international rescue teams had abandoned the site convinced there were no more survivors.Quake Update National Midweek August 22, 1990 39 Luisa Mallorca and Arnel Calabia were extricated from the rubble 11 days after the quake, while hotel cook Pedrito Dy was recovered alive 14 days following the earthquake.A 3rd Survivor Pulled From Collapsed Hotel http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/114813/A-3RD-SURVIVOR-PULLED-FROM-COLLAPSED-HOTEL.html Deseret News July 30, 1990 January 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090412155616/http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/114813/A-3RD-SURVIVOR-PULLED-FROM-COLLAPSED-HOTEL.html April 12, 2009 dead All three survived in part by drinking their own urine and in Dy's case, rainwater. At that time, Dy's 14-day ordeal was cited as a world record for entombment underneath rubble. The United States Agency for International Development was sponsoring a seminar at the Hotel Nevada when the tremor struck, causing the hotel to collapse. 27 of the seminar participants, including one American USAID official, were killed in the quake. Among those who were pulled out alive from the ruins of the hotel was future senatorial candidate Sonia Roco, wife of politician Raul Roco, who was pulled out from the rubble by miners after 36 hours.Norman Bordadora & Michael Lim Ubac Roco trapped in elevator on Friday the 13th http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=60325 Philippine Daily Inquirer April 17, 2007 January 13, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090413021643/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=60325 April 13, 2009 live July 18, 1990 Quake Deaths Reach 256 Manila Standard https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tZUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6665%2C2925316 October 10, 2021 October 10, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211010132210/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tZUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6665,2925316 live Cabanatuan In Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, the tallest building in the city, a six-story concrete school building housing the Christian College of the Philippines, collapsed during the earthquake, which occurred during school hours. Around 154 people were killed at the CCP building. Unlike in Baguio, local and international journalists were able to arrive at Cabanatuan within hours after the tremor, and media coverage of the quake in its immediate aftermath centered on the collapsed school, where rescue efforts were hampered by the lack of heavy equipment to cut through the steel reinforcement of fallen concrete. Some of the victims who did not die in the collapse were found dead later from dehydration because they were not pulled out in time.Earthquake Wreaks Havoc in the Philippines http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=847 This Day in History January 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090306060419/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=847 March 6, 2009 live A 20-year-old high school student, Robin Garcia, was later credited with rescuing at least eight students and teachers by twice returning under the rubble to retrieve survivors. Garcia was killed by an aftershock hours after the quake while trying to rescue more survivors, and he received several posthumous tributes, including medals of honor from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and President Corazon Aquino'sThe Gallant Filipino Guingona Teofisto Teofisto Guingona 1993 Anvil Publishing Inc. Pasig 978-971-27-0279-2 211–213 Grieving Heart Award for his heroic effort that brought the world's attention to the quake due to quick media coverage in the city, since most of the buildings were damaged save for the CCP building which was collapsed totally. In other areas of Nueva Ecija, a school in Guimba collapsed killing three students. In neighboring Nueva Vizcaya, at least 100 motorists and commuters were buried alive in landslides along the Nueva Vizcaya-Isabela Highway.Burgos Roberto July 20, 1990 Quake also buried 100 in N. Vizcaya Manila Standard https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tpUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6589%2C3204024 Dagupan In Dagupan, about 90 buildings in the city were damaged, and about 20 collapsed. Some structures sustained damage because liquefaction caused buildings to sink as much as 1 m in off. The earthquake caused a decrease in the elevation of the city and several areas were flooded. The city suffered 64 casualties of which 47 survived and 17 died. Most injuries were sustained during stampedes at a university building and a theater. La Union Five municipalities in La Union were affected: Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Santo Tomas, and Tubao with a combined population of 132,208. Many buildings, including the Agoo Municipal hall,December 12, 2015 23 Years in La Union https://www.philnavs.org/23-years-of-ministry-in-la-union/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20200716172926/https://www.philnavs.org/23-years-of-ministry-in-la-union/ July 16, 2020 July 16, 2020 The Philippine Navigators the Museo de Iloko, the parish church of Aringay, and the Basilica Minore of our Lady of Charity,The History of Agoo: 1578–2005 Sals Florent Joseph 2005 Limbagan Printhouse La Union 80 collapsed or were severely damaged. 100,000 families were displaced when two coastal villages sank due to liquefaction. The province suffered many casualties leaving 32 people dead. Patterns of damage thumb|Note the diagonal fault near Casiguran in this tectonic map of the Philippine fault system. Based on preliminary analysis, cases and controls were similar in age and sex distribution. Similar proportions of cases and controls were inside buildings (74% and 80%, respectively) and outside buildings (26% and 20%, respectively) during the earthquake. For persons who were inside a building, risk factors included building height, type of building material, and the floor level the person was on. Persons inside buildings with seven or more floors were 35 times more likely to be injured. Persons inside buildings constructed of concrete or mixed materials were three times more likely to sustain injuries than were those inside wooden buildings. Persons at middle levels of multistory buildings were twice as likely to be injured as those at the top or bottom levels. The earthquake caused different patterns of damage in different parts of Luzon Island. The mountain resort of Baguio was most severely affected, it had a high population density and many tall concrete buildings, which were more susceptible to seismic damage. Relief efforts proved difficult as all routes of communication, roads, and airport access were severed for several days following the quake. These efforts were further hampered by daily rainfall. Baguio is home to a large mining company and a military academy; experienced miners and other disciplined volunteers played a crucial role in early rescue efforts. Rescue teams arriving from Manila and elsewhere in Luzon were able to decrease mortality from major injuries. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialized equipment and supplies were brought to the area, and victims were promptly treated. Patients requiring specialized care (e.g., hemodialysis) not available in the disaster area were airlifted to tertiary hospitals. Damage was caused by landslides in the mountains and settling in coastal areas. Relief efforts in these areas were prompt and successful, partly because those areas remained accessible.International notes Earthquake Disaster -- Luzon, Philippines https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001734.htm January 4, 2025 On July 19, three days after the earthquake, the priority of relief efforts shifted from treatment of injuries to public health concerns. For example, numerous broken pipes completely disrupted water systems, limiting the availability of potable water, and refugees who camped in open areas had no adequate toilet facilities. Early efforts at providing potable water by giving refugees chlorine granules were unsuccessful. Most potable water was distributed from fire engines, and Department of Health (DOH) sanitarians chlorinated the water before it was distributed. Surveys of refugee areas showed few latrines; these had to be dug by the DOH. Aftermath The University of Baguio, which got struck by this earthquake, was rehabilitated, while the land where Hyatt Terraces stood remains abandoned.Baguio remembers deadly 1990 quake July 16, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1KIfTMrK3k August 8, 2021 In popular culture The earthquake is featured in the television documentary series by GRB Entertainment, aired on The Learning Channel and other television channels around the world, about natural disasters titled Earth's Fury (also known internationally as Anatomy of Disaster) in an episode entitled "Earthquake!",https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRXO39SHOa8 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/QRXO39SHOa8 December 19, 2021 live Earthquake! Anatomy of Disaster 1 3 1997 The Learning Channel October 6, 2020 YouTube the 50th anniversary special of GMA News and Public Affairs titled Limang Dekada in 2010,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqI8GvBC5aY https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/CqI8GvBC5aY December 19, 2021 live Limang Dekada: The GMA News 50th Anniversary Special Television special Philippines GMA News and Public Affairs January 10, 2010 October 29, 2020 YouTube the 50th anniversary special of ABS-CBN titled Sa Mata ng Balita in 2003,https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448103?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Sa Mata ng Balita Television special Philippines ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs October 12, 2003 November 11, 2020 August 31, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240831152212/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448103/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 live and the 1996 documentary produced by Langley Productions titled The Amazing Video Collection: Natural Disasters. Scenes of the earthquake's destruction around Baguio, as well as reflections on Filipino people's capacity to endure and rebuild, also featured in a segment of 1994 collage film directed by National Artist Kidlat Tahimik titled Why is Yellow the Middle of the Rainbow?. See also 1990s Philippines Earth sciences List of earthquakes in 1990 List of earthquakes in the Philippines 1990 Bohol and 1990 Panay earthquakes – two other significant earthquakes in the Philippines the same year 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo – a significant eruption that happened less than a year after this earthquake. 2022 Luzon earthquake Notes Bibliography Geological Disasters In The Philippines: The July 1990 Earthquake And The June 1991 Eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Description, effects and lessons learned Rantucci Giovanni 1980 Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) 978-0-7881-2075-6 https://books.google.com/books?id=qK3uy9oMzccC August 15, 2009 References https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usp0004bxs#executive M 7.7 – Luzon, Philippines United States Geological Survey July 16, 1990 August 31, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170831220547/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usp0004bxs#executive August 31, 2017 live Significant Earthquake Database https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/nndc/struts/form?t=101650&s=1&d=1 National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS) National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA 10.7289/V5TD9V7K 1972 Data Set March 11, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20170721203405/https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/nndc/struts/form?t=101650&s=1&d=1 July 21, 2017 dead PAGER-CAT Earthquake Catalog https://earthquake.usgs.gov/static/lfs/data/pager/catalogs/ September 4, 2009 United States Geological Survey Version 2008_06.1 October 24, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180115071656/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/static/lfs/data/pager/catalogs/ January 15, 2018 live External links EIRD overview The 1990 Baguio City Earthquake (Archived 2009-10-21) Rapid.Org.UK – Philippines earthquake Hopes Dying in the Rubble in Philippines Steven Erlanger Steven Erlanger The New York Times July 19, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/19/world/hopes-dying-in-the-rubble-in-philippines.html January 17, 2010 362868 Videos 0PpRwWglcHM Panahon TV retrospective on the earthquake d1KIfTMrK3k ANC News Now retrospective on the earthquake Yu3b8lGxxwI GMA Headline News report on the earthquake in Baguio _51uKhaI_q8 Another GMA Headline News report on the earthquake in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija Category:Earthquakes in the Philippines Luzon earthquake Luzon earthquake Category:History of Nueva Ecija Category:History of Baguio Category:History of Pangasinan Category:History of La Union Luzon earthquake Category:Strike-slip earthquakes