How to prepare for an earthquake

In 2015, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted a metro-wide "Shake Drill" to condition citizens to be prepared should a major earthquake hit the National Capital Region.

Earthquakes may only last seconds or minutes, but the slight shifts in the planet's crust could result in the collapse of towering buildings—resulting in deaths and injuries, aside from widespread damage in property.

On Saturday, a 6.4 magnitude quake toppled a 17-storey building in Tainan City in Taiwan, resulting in at least 35 deaths. Authorities say that over 100 people are still missing and they believe that some of them are trapped in the rubble.

In the event of a similar natural calamity, the MMDA hopes to prevent more casualties by disseminating the information in the graphics below.

You can also find out how near you are to the West Valley Fault by logging on to Tremors, and visit BePreparedMetroManila for more information.

— Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News