One of its most memorable seismic events was the powerful quake that struck the island

of Luzon in 1990, which resulted in a number of collapsed buildings, left an estimated $369-million
worth of damages, and a total of 2,412 people dead.16 Jul 2020

1990 Luzon earthquake

1990 Luzon earthquake

The collapsed Hyatt Terraces Baguio Hotel after the earthquake in

Baguio City.
 Rizal, Nueva Ecija

UTC time 1990-07-16 07:26:36

ISC event 362868

USGS-ANSS ComCat

Local date July 16, 1990

Local time 16:26 local time

Duration 45 seconds

Magnitude 7.8 Mw[1]

Depth 25.1 km (15.6 mi)[1]

 15.679°N 121.172°ECoordinates: 15.679°N
Epicenter
121.172°E[1]

Type Strike-slip[2]

Areas affected Central Luzon

National Capital Region

Cordillera Administrative Region

Bicol Region

Philippines

Max. intensity IX (Violent)[3]

Tsunami eastern seaboard of Luzon

Casualties 1,621

The 1990 Luzon earthquake struck the island of Luzon in the Philippines at 4:26 p.m. on July 16 (PDT). 3:26 p.m. (PST) with an
estimated moment magnitude of 7.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent) and produced a 125 km-long ground rupture that
stretched from Dingalan, Aurora to Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. 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 City.[4] An estimated 1,621 people were killed,[5][6] most of the fatalities located in Central Luzon and
the Cordillera
Baguio City, several structures collapsed, burying people alive. Some establishments destroyed
included hotels like the Hyatt Terraces Plaza, Nevada Hotel, Baguio Hilltop Hotel, Baguio Park
Hotel, and FRB Hotel.

The quake left an estimated US$369-million worth of damages, and a total of 2,412 people dead.

WHAT WERE THE STRONGEST, DEADLIEST EARTHQUAKES IN THE PHILIPPINES IN RECENT MEMORY?
 1976 - Moro Gulf earthquake, Magnitude: 7.9, 3,000 (estimate)
 1990 - Luzon earthquake, Magnitude: 7.8, Casualties: 1,621.
 1968 - Casiguran earthquake, Magnitude: 7.3, Casualties 270.
 2013: Bohol earthquake; Magnitude: 7.2, Casualties: 150.