May 6, 1924 Earthquake: Agno, Philippines

Reference #414:

1924, May 7, 0:l0 [local time], there was an earthquake with epicenter near 16 N, 118 E, magnitude 6.5. It was felt with a force of 4 degrees (V Rossi-Forel) at Agno and also at Bolinao and some other settlements in the provinces of Zambales, Pangasinan, Northern and Southern Ilocos and Benuet, as far as the central regions of Luzon Island. It was preceded by a foreshock on May 3 at 15:15:02, which was felt at Agno with a magnitude of 4 degrees. Some of the residents thought that they saw lights flickering over the sea during the main earthquake.

Agno was the only sizeable settlement near the source of the earthquake. It is situated on the northern shore of the Agno River (Balincagin), 3 km from the mouth. The sea coast on this area, which is made up of river deposits, is low-lying, unlike the high abraded shores lying to the north and south. Soon after the earthquake, four large sea waves surged onto Agno. The waves inundated the lower regions of the city and terrified the residents. However, no one was injured and material damage was minor.

[6.V; 16h09m20s; 16 N, 119 E; M=6.9.]

Reference #1187:

1924, May 7, 12:10 a.m. W Luzon 16 N, 118 E: Agno, W coast - earthquake of intensity V and noticed at several other stations of Luzon. It was not generally felt because its origin lay far in the China Sea. Shortly after the earthquake, the town of Agno on the west coast of Luzon was invaded by four big sea waves which flooded its low portions and caused great consternation to the people but no material damage or harm to persons. Some persons in their excitement and fear imagined that they could see instantaneous fires northwestwards in the sea. They probably saw earthquake lights. The town of Agno is located on the north side of the Balincaguin River at a distance of about 3 km from its mouth. The earthquake was also very distinctly felt at Bolinao, a town on the same coast but about 30 km to the north, and noticed in several towns of Pangasinan, Ilocos, Benguet and in the central Provinces as far south as Manila.