At 4:26 pm on Monday, July 16 of 1990, a devastating earthquake measuring a 7.8 on the Richter scale, hit the central and northern parts of Luzon Island in the Philippines. It was the cause of a substantial number of deaths and there were severe damages to buildings, homes and roads. The highly affected areas were Cabanatuan city, Dagupan city and the coastal areas in La Union. (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/00001734.htm) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Luzon_earthquake)
Earthquakes are unfortunately a common occurrence in the Philippines. In the past years, the Philippines has endured quite a number of earthquakes. For instance, in 1968, 200 people died when the Ruby Tower collapsed due to a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Manila. Approximately, 6,000 people died in 1976 by a tsunami caused by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in the Moro Gulf. Earthquakes don’t occur at a specific time or pattern and the predictions that are made don’t always come true. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Luzon_earthquake)
The earthquake was caused by strike-slip movements along the Philippine Fault Zone and the Digdig Fault. The epicenter was at 15º 42' N and 121º 7' E near the town of Rizal and damages were spread across 20,000 square kilometers. For two days, the affected areas were secluded from the country. The electric, water an communication lines were completely destroyed and the only way into the city was by helicopter due to the fact that all airports were closed. Necessities such as food and fuel were scant. Hospitals were damaged so a large number of tents were put up out side to treat people. Due to continuous aftershocks, many families also set up tents in open spaces hoping to be in less danger. On the 19th of July, a main road was fixed and opened in order to bring in essential supplies. There were approximately 1,600 deaths and around 3000- 4000 people were injured. Around 120 houses were damaged and 3000 families were dislocated. (http://www.interragate.info/notable-past-event/3902) (http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/Earthquake/1990LuzonEQ_Monograph/foreword.html0) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_fault#Strike-slip_faults) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Luzon_earthquake)
Due to the fact that the Philippines is a LEDC, the damages and effects were even more harsh. They didn’t have the resources to rise from the disaster in a short amount of time. They didn’t have enough money to fund repairs and they didn’t have the technology to perform efficient work. The people weren’t strong and united because they didn’t have faith and so it was a very overwhelming and demoralizing time. An MEDC would have the same amount of a lesser amount of physical damages because of the way the building were built. They would have more capable materials than LEDC’s and also their foundations would be much stronger and more resistant o earthquakes. An MEDC could have been affected even more, but they would have the ability to come back from a disaster in a proficient way. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Luzon_earthquake)
There were many people who participated in relief efforts. Rescue teams arrived from Manila and Luzon to aid major injuries. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialized equipment and supplies were brought in to aid with the medical procedures. American military personnel were also stationed in the Philippine archipelago to help aid the injured. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=847)
Even though the Philippines s a very danger prone area, people don’t want to move because their families have been living there for many years and it is their home. They may have jobs and lives there that they just don’t want to forget and leave them behind. People know that their families and they are at a risk of dying, but they probably figure that their culture is too important to be left behind. No one can say whether they are right or wrong, because it is a personal decision.
The earthquake of 1990 in the Philippines was a very distressing one for many families. Many areas were affected and there were many casualties, but people’s kindness and generosity was rendered because many people anted to aid the affected people. The earthquake brought the country back together in a way that made them stronger and united. It was a horrible disaster which permanently stained the lives of many people and the country.
Bibliography
• (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/00001734.htm )
• (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Luzon_earthquake)
• (http://www.interragate.info/notable-past-event/3902 )
• (http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/Earthquake/1990LuzonEQ_Monograph/foreword.html0)
• (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_fault#Strike-slip_faults )
• (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=847)
