A 6.7 Magnitude earthquake rattled the southern Philippine region of Mindanao.
Affected countries: Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia 71 km from Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines · 17 Nov, 1:44 pm
The death toll from a powerful earth quake that hit the southern Philippines has now reached nine, according to the national disaster agency. The agency has warned that the number could still rise. The 6.7-magnitude quake struck the Mindanao region on Friday, causing widespread damage and injuries. Over 800 houses were damaged or destroyed, and at least 15 people were injured. The state seismology service has said that the quake was likely caused by the movement of the earth’s crust along the Cotabato trench. The Philippines is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity.
Earthquake in Philippines & The Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire, a geological phenomenon that has been in existence for over 35 million years, has witnessed subduction processes in certain areas for an even longer period. The current formation of the Pacific Ring of Fire can be attributed to the development of subduction zones in South America, North America, and Asia around 115 million years ago. Over time, as plate configurations underwent gradual changes, additional subduction zones emerged in Indonesia and New Guinea approximately 70 million years ago, followed by the formation of the New Zealand subduction zone around 35 million years ago.
It is noteworthy that a significant majority of the world’s earthquakes, accounting for about 90%, occur along the Ring of Fire. Furthermore, this region is responsible for approximately 81% of the world’s largest earthquakes. The Alpide belt, extending from central Indonesia to the northern Atlantic Ocean via the Himalayas and southern Europe, is the next most seismically active area, accounting for 5-6% of earthquakes and 17% of the world’s largest earthquakes.
From 1900 until the end of 2020, the Ring of Fire has experienced the highest number of earthquakes with a magnitude of Mw ≥ 8.0. These earthquakes are believed to be megathrust events that occur at subduction zones. Notably, four of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded on Earth, since the introduction of modern seismological measuring equipment and magnitude measurement scales in the 1930s, have taken place within this region.
Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines, is also the seventh-most populous island in the world. Situated in the southern region of the archipelago, it is part of a group of islands known as the Mindanao island group, which includes the nearby Sulu Archipelago. As of the 2020 census, Mindanao has a population of 26,252,442 people, while the entire island group has an estimated population of 27,021,036 according to the 2021 census.
The name Mindanao is derived from the Maguindanao people, the dominant ethnic group in the Sultanate of Maguindanao during the Spanish colonial period. It is a Spanish corruption of their name and translates to “people of the lake” or “people of the flood plains” in modern sources.
Mindanao boasts numerous popular tourist destinations, including beach resorts, scuba diving resorts, surfing spots, museums, nature parks, mountain climbing sites, and river rafting opportunities. Siargao, famous for its surfing tower in Cloud 9, also offers caves, pools, waterfalls, and lagoons. Butuan is home to archaeological sites, historical ruins, and museums, while Camiguin attracts visitors with its White Island. Misamis Oriental features the Duka Bay and Matangale dive resorts, offering glass-bottomed boat rides and scuba diving lessons.
Cagayan de Oro offers beach resorts, the Mapawa Nature Park, white water rafting, kayaking, museums, and historical landmarks. Dahilayan Adventure Park is renowned for its ziplining, and Kiokong in Bukidnon is a popular destination for rock wall climbing. Iligan City showcases the Maria Cristina Falls, Tinago Falls, nature parks, beaches, and historical landmarks. Zamboanga City is home to parks, historical buildings, the Vinta Ride at Paseo del Mar, boat villages, the 17th-century Fort Pilar Shrine and Museum, and the world-famous Pink Sand Beach of Sta. Cruz.