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Not just the Valley Fault: Everyone in Manila should prep for earthquake
With the release of the Valley Fault System Atlas, people can see for themselves if they’re near or on the VFS, and a lot of people are under the impression that just because they don’t live directly on top of the fault line, they’re going to be safe from an earthquake.
But the thing is, the impact of an earthquake stretches far beyond the fault it originated from.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake from the VFS would affect the entirety of Metro Manila, not just areas above or near the VFS.
The scenario map is from the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), a study conducted PHIVOLCS in connection with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
According to MMEIRS, the distribution of ground motion, seismic intensity, liquefaction potential, and slope stability were calculated when they were coming up with 18 scenarios.
Far-reaching effects
Far-reaching effects
If a magnitude 7.2 earthquake from the VFS hits, most of Metro Manila (the brown parts) will experience a “high VIII” intensity earthquake. Yellow areas will experience “low VIII” intensity while red parts near the VFS will experience “low IX” intensity.
According to the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS), a VIII intensity earthquake is classified as very destructive, with people finding it to maintain their footing outdoors and “well-built” buildings sustaining considerable damage. The ground becomes liquidlike, causing man-made structures to sink or topple. People living in mountainous areas need to be alert for landslides and rockfalls.
During an IX intensity earthquake (classified as devastating), people are thrown to the ground and buildings and other infrastructure are completely destroyed.
Deaths in the thousands
Within the first hour after the earthquake hits, an estimated 33,500 people (or 0.3% of a total population of 9,932,560) will die during the earthquake, with 90% dying from “the pressure of collapsed buildings.” An estimated 113,600 people will be injured. Within 1-7 days after the earthquake, all official function has ground to a halt.
Looking at this data, it’s not hard to see that the feared Big One will have a far-reaching impact. We can’t be complacent just because our homes are far away from the VFS. We still need to arm ourselves with information and knowledge so we’ll know what to do when the time comes.
