Catalogue of Violent and Destructive Earthquakes in the Philippines

This volume brings together more than three centuries of seismic activity across the Philippine archipelago, focusing on the most violent and destructive tremors recorded between 1599 and 1909. Compiled for an international seismological effort, it lists each quake’s date, intensity on the De Rossi‑Forel scale, and the towns most affected, offering vivid details about damaged structures, casualties, and the broader impact on local communities.

Beyond the main catalogue, an appendix extends the survey to the neighboring Mariana Islands, providing a broader picture of regional tectonic behaviour. The author’s careful notes reveal how early chroniclers often glossed over earthquakes, making this collection a rare, systematic record that fills gaps left by sparse historical accounts. Listeners will gain insight into how natural disasters shaped settlement patterns and how early scientific attempts sought to bring order to chaotic, devastating events.