M=5.9 earthquake shakes the Philippines

By David Jacobson, Temblor

See earthquakes in the Philippines

The M=5.9 earthquake on Saturday shook the northern part of the Philippines, and left parts of Batangas damaged. Additionally, the quake was felt in the capital city of Manila approximately 100 km north.


On Saturday (8 April 2017), a M=5.9 earthquake shook the northern Philippines, including the capital city of Manila, which is home to over 1.5 million people. According to the USGS, the quake occurred at a depth of 42 km, and registered moderate shaking near the epicenter. In Batangas, close to the epicenter, there were both power cuts and minor damage, while in Manila 100 km north, weak shaking was felt.

While there are several faults in the region, notably the Marikina Valley Fault System, Lubang Fault and Aglubang River Fault, this quake does not appear to have occurred along any of them. Even though the Lubang Fault is only 13 km from the mapped epicenter, its sense of slip does not match Saturday’s quake. While the Lubang Fault is left-lateral, the focal mechanism from Saturday’s quake indicates it was right-lateral in nature, suggesting an alternative source.

This Temblor map shows the active faults in the Philippines around Saturday’s earthquake. Because of the quake’s depth (42 km) and sense of slip (right-lateral), it likely occurred on the subducting slab underneath the Philippines. (Faults from G-EVER).


In addition to being the wrong focal mechanism, this quake occurred at a depth of 42 km, meaning it was likely below the Lubang Fault. Because the Philippines is flanked on either side by subduction zones, this portion of the country is undergoing left-lateral shear. Furthermore, the distortion of the Manila Trench means that in the vicinity of the quake, the subduction zone is more likely a transform or oblique boundary due to prevailing plate motion vectors. This means that the quake likely occurred within the Eurasian Plate as it subducts beneath the Philippine Plate, and represents a small tear in the slab.

It should also be pointed out that this region is home to Taal Volcano, which is the second most active volcano in the Philippines, and is considered a ‘Decade Volcano’ due to its proximity to the city of Manila. This area represents a zone of extension where young volcanism is present. While the extension in the region likely didn’t influence the quake, it does show how many tectonic forces are at play in this part of the Philippines.

Lastly, according to the Global Earthquake Activity Rate (GEAR) model, which uses global strain rates and seismicity since 1977, this earthquake should not be considered a surprise. This model forecasts that in your lifetime, a M=6.75+ earthquake will occur in this region of the Philippines. To see what the likely earthquake magnitude in your lifetime anywhere on earth, click here.

This Temblor map shows the Global Earthquake Activity Rate (GEAR) model for the Philippines. Based on global strain rates and seismicity since 1977, Saturday’s M=5.9 quake should not be considered surprising as a M=6.75+ earthquake is likely in your lifetime.


G-EVER (Philippines Faults) Link