2017 Surigao earthquake


The 2017 Surigao earthquake occurred on February 10, 2017 at 10:03 PM, with a surface wave magnitude of 6.7 off the coast of Surigao del Norte in the Philippines. According to the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale the earthquake was an Intensity VII earthquake at maximum. In the past Surigao province has been hit by a magnitude 7.2 tremor in both 1879 and 1893.

Earthquake

The earthquake was recorded by PHIVOLCS on February 10, 2017 at 10:03:42 PM. Based on the agency, the epicenter of the 6.7 magnitude-earthquake was at or 16 kilometers, north west of Surigao City. The earthquake was tectonic of origin. The most affected area in terms of PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale was Surigao City which experienced an intensity of Intensity VII. The United States Geological Survey reports the earthquake as having a moment magnitude of 6.5.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued no tsunami warning following the earthquake.

Impact

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, at least 300 houses in Surigao del Norte were damaged following the earthquake. Seven bridges collapsed, isolating San Francisco. At least eleven towns were affected, experiencing power outages.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Surigao del Norte projects that the cost of damage to property and infrastructure is at least.

Aftermath

On February 11, 2017, the government of Surigao City declared a state of calamity.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has suspended all flights to and from Surigao City due to the damage sustained by the city's airport runway.
The Philippine national government, through Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, assured the public that the government will provide aid.
By the afternoon of February 14, 2017, there were at least 140 reported aftershocks recorded by PHIVOLCS.
On March 5, 2017, an aftershock of magnitude 5.9 occurred while one person died of a heart attack, 29 others were injured and some walls collapsed.