KM Viray
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recently released the Valley Fault System (VFS) Atlas, a collection of detailed large-scale maps that illustrates the areas that are near an earthquake fault.
The VFS Atlas listed the following as the barangays in the earthquake zone:
The VFS is composed of the East Valley Fault, which runs through Rizal, and the West Valley Fault, which runs through Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna. The West Valley Fault can generate a large earthquake with magnitude 7.2 which poses threat to peoples lives, buildings and infrastructurs, and livelihood. The strength of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake can be attributed to the earthquake which recently occurred in Nepal.
The last earthquake that can be related to the movement of the faults happened in 1658, 357 years ago, which very nearly falls into the regular interval of 400-600 years when earthquakes occur. PHIVOLCS Director Renato U. Solidum Jr. admitted the possibility of the earthquake occurring in this lifetime. While the exact period can never pinpointed, Solidum urges the public to be aware and be ready. “The Valley Fault System Atlas was conceptualized as a handy reference for everyone to serve as a guide in making sure that areas traversed by active faults are avoided as sites of houses and structures and considered in various mitigation and response actions to enhance the safety and resilience of communities to strong earthquake events,” said Solidum.
According to PHIVOLCS, the location of active faults is a major basis for people’s preparedness for earthquakes, appropriate land use, contingency planning for disaster response, and design of houses, buildings, and infrastructure. Future development needs to consider these faults so people won’t be at risk.
Banner photo courtesy of GMA News Online.
