December 29, 1949 Earthquake: E, Luzon, Philippines

Reference #414:

1949, December 29, 11:05 [local time]. The strongest earthquake since the Second World War occurred on the northeast of Luzon Island. It was felt all over the island. The force of tremors at the largest settlements was: 6 degrees (VII) at Tuguegarao, 5 degrees (VI) at Cabanatuan, Aparri, Baler, Manila, 4 degrees (V) at Bagio, Laoag, Lusena, Casiguran, Quezon City, Vigan, 3 degrees at Daet, Ambulong Island and Iva, and 2-3 degrees at Basco. In the pleistoseismic zone, the ground cracked and sand and water smelling of hydrogen sulfide was ejected from the cracks. It was mainly the old churches, which had been built in the 17th and 18th centuries, which had been damaged during the war [Second World War], which suffered. The wooden homes on concrete foundations which had been built after the war did not suffer any damage. Fifteen people died, the majority because several boats were sunk on the Cagayan River, and the rest were buried under the collapses of the steep shores of the river. About 50 aftershocks were felt for a week in the epicentral zone. Near Mersedes, one person died in the tsunami waves. 29.XII; 3h03m54s; 18 N, 121 E, M=7.2.

Reference #1187:

1949, December 29, 11:05 a.m. [local time], 17oN, 121o38'E, maximum intensity VIII. Major earthquake. A total of 70 aftershocks were recorded from December 29-31 and a total of 107 more were recorded from January 1-31... Fifteen persons were officially reported to have been killed or missing as a result of the earthquakes. Most of these were drowned in the Cagayan River, caused by the capsizing of the canoes they were traveling in. Others were buried under river banks which collapsed while they fished under them. No casualties, however, were caused by the collapse of walls or towers of churches.

Reference #45:

1949, December 29, 03:03:50 UTC, 17.5 N, 121.5 E, magnitude 7.2, northern Luzon, Philippine Islands. Heavy property damage along northwest coast of Isabela Province and minor damage in Manila. One death from sea wave near Mercedes.

Reference #88:

1949, December 29, 03:03:54, 18 N, 121 E, shallow depth, magnitude 7.2.