Earth

Earthquake in Philippines: Fatalities and many missing

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
Deanna Conners
and
February 6, 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake in Philippines on February 6, 2012 at 03:49 UTC (February 5 at 9:49 p.m. CST), centered on the central Philippine island of Negros. The earthquake took place 356 miles (573 km) south-southeast of Manila. No tsunami warning is in effect.

The powerful earthquake killed at least 15 people, and many are still missing, according to the BBC. However, local reports are now putting the death toll higher (as high as 40, and above). Government offices and schools were ordered to close today, according to Reuters.

There have been a series of at least five strong aftershocks (magnitudes 4.8, 5.6, 6.0, 5.8, 5.2) according to USGS.

Here are the specifics of the 6.7-magnitude earthquake:

Region: NEGROS- CEBU REG, PHILIPPINES
Geographic coordinates: 9.964N, 123.245E
Magnitude: 6.8 Mw
Depth: 46 km
Universal Time (UTC): 6 Feb 2012 03:49:16
Time near the Epicenter: 6 Feb 2012 11:49:16
Local standard time in your area: 6 Feb 2012 03:49:16

Location with respect to nearby cities:
70 km (44 miles) N (355 degrees) of Dumaguete, Negros, Philippines
79 km (49 miles) WNW (298 degrees) of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines
80 km (50 miles) SSE (158 degrees) of Bacolod, Negros, Philippines
573 km (356 miles) SSE (154 degrees) of MANILA, Philippines

Bottom line: A 6.7 magnitude earthquake rocked the Philippines on February 6, 2012 killing at least 15 people, including two children.

Read more from USGS

Read more from Reuters

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Posted 
February 6, 2012
 in 
Earth

Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:
Our Editor-in-Chief Deborah Byrd works to keep all the astronomy balls in the air between EarthSky's website, YouTube page and social media platforms. She's the primary editor of our popular daily newsletter and a frequent host of EarthSky livestreams. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

Deanna Conners

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About the Author:
Deanna Erin Conners is a biologist and science communicator from Western New York who has been contributing to the conversations on EarthSky since 2011. Her overarching hypothesis is that we have vastly underestimated the intelligence of non-human species. She is endlessly fascinated by the interconnectedness in nature and occasionally chimes in with stories about birding, Earth science, and the Great Lakes. (Portrait taken at Buckhorn Island State Park, NY, appears courtesy of Karen Lee Lewis.)

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