Visayas Earthquake Intensity Map

By Paolo Ferrer

Published February 7, 2012 7:01pm

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook the Visayas region last Febuary 6, destroying infrastructure and killing dozens of people. The Google Map below plots the intensity of the quake in most of the 58 cities and municipalities affected, from the epicenter off eastern Negros island to areas as far as the Bicol region and Northern Mindanao. Based on a 2007 census, an estimated 7.5 million people live in the 22 provinces where the quake was felt.

View Visayas Earthquake 2012 in a larger map According to the USGS web site, "Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake... Intensity measures the strength of shaking produced by the earthquake at a certain location. Intensity is determined from effects on people, human structures, and the natural environment." The difference between the magnitude of an earthquake and its intensity as experienced at a given location is affected by many variables, including the site's distance from the epicenter; the composition of the soil; and the presence of structures that may dampen or amplify vibrations. - With reports from GMA News Research/PF/YA/TJD

Tags: visayasearthquake, imreadylindol, map