Samar, Philippines Earthquake

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Posting Date: November 19, 2003, 7:50:00 AM

A strong earthquake struck the central Philippines early Wednesday, November 19, 2003, at 1:14 a.m. local time (November 18, 17:14 UTC). The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the moment magnitude (Mw) of the earthquake at 6.5. Focal depth was estimated at about 23 miles (37 km). The quake was centered on the island of Samar, about 50 miles (80 km) east of Calbayog and about 60 miles (95 km) north-northeast of Tacloban, Leyte. The quake was felt as far as Surigao City, some 185 miles (298 km) away. The earthquake occurred along the northern segment of the Philippine subduction zone, where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts westward under the Eurasian Plate at about 9.5 cm/year. Today's earthquake was a typical subduction zone event at the plate interface. At least 11 earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or greater have occurred along this 300-km segment in the last 30 years. The most recent events - a magnitude 7.1 in April 1995, a magnitude 7.0 in May 1995, and a magnitude 7.1 in November 1996 - all occurred within 100 km of today's event. The earthquake toppled electrical poles and cracked roads in the town of Can-avid. A landslide blocked a nearby mountainside highway. Some homes were damaged, according to early reports. A public market and a four-room school building collapsed, the latter leading to one death. Otherwise, only minor injuries have been reported so far. The AIR earthquake team has run several simulations of this event and estimates that insured losses will be minimal.

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Posting Date: November 19, 2003, 7:50:00 AM