Earthquake on Luzon Island in the Philippines that occurred on November 30, 1645
One of the most destructive earthquakes in Philippine history, killing around 600 people and devastating Manila's newly built structures in 1645.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 7.5 Ms
- Date
- November 30, 1645, ~08:00 PM local time
- Deaths (Spanish)
- ~600 people
- Injured (Spanish)
- ~3,000 people
- Major aftershock
- December 4, 1645, 11:00 PM
- Source faults
- San Manuel and Gabaldon Faults, Nueva Ecija
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake was generated by rupture along the San Manuel and Gabaldon Faults located in the central section of Luzon Island, Philippines. These tectonic structures released energy equivalent to a magnitude 7.5 Ms tremor, reflecting the seismically active nature of the Philippine archipelago.
On November 30, 1645, at approximately 8:00 PM local time, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Luzon Island. Aftershocks persisted for several days, culminating in a second major event on December 4 at 11:00 PM, reportedly equal to or stronger than the initial shock, compounding death and destruction across the region.
The disaster caused severe damage throughout Manila, nearly demolishing ten newly constructed cathedrals, residential villas, and other buildings. An estimated 600 Spanish residents were killed and approximately 3,000 were injured, making it one of the deadliest seismic events in the colonial-era Philippines.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 600 (earthquake)