Chocolate Hills Viewing Deck Destroyed by Earthquake, Aftershocks in Philippines

Chocolate Hills Viewing Deck Destroyed by Earthquake, Aftershocks in Philippines
Zachary Stieber
10/15/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

The Chocolate Hills viewing deck and the leaning tower overlooking the famous Chocolate Hills in Carmen in Bohol, Philippines, were destroyed by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the series of aftershocks that followed.

The epicenter of the quake hit below Carmen.

The Chocolate Hills are located throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, and consist of about 1,776 mounds of the same general shape, according to UNESCO.

“During the dry season when precipitation in inadequate, the grass-covered hills turn chocolate brown, hence the name in reference to a branded confection.”

The hills are in the Philippine Tourism Authority’s list of tourist destinations in the Philippines.

Robert Michael Poole took two photos showing the earthquake damage–one of the Chocolate Hills viewing deck and one showing the ground view of one of the hills.

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Loboc Church in Bohol Destroyed After 7.2 Earthquake; Baclayon Church Damaged

7.2 Earthquake Hits Philippines, Followed by Aftershocks; 110 Dead