DAVAO CITY – An official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) here said they are yet to update the active fault in the city.
Phivolcs Science Research specialist Engr. Janila De Ocampo said they are yet to release the updated active fault map, however, she said the agency will do additional surveys and trenching to locate these areas with active faults.
De Ocampo said that since the Philippine Fault Zone (PFZ) is a very active fault, it is still best to be ready at all times.
“I won’t say it’s alarming, but it is best to be prepared at all times because as we all know we really can’t predict earthquakes,” said De Ocampo.
Meanwhile, Phivolcs has released the Valley Fault System (VFS) atlas, a handbook of large scale maps showing in details the areas that are near an earthquake fault. VFS covers Metro Manila cities and surrounding areas.
Phivolcs, in association with Geosciences Australia, estimates that a magnitude 7.2 earthquake looms around the country’s capital if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks.
Phivolcs, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as well as the Metro Manila Development Authority have been preparing for the “Big One” since 2005.
In the case of Mindanao, De Ocampo said, “nothing has been done yet that is in the level with Metro Manila.”
“But of course we are doing the regional mapping. But street level, maybe it will take a few more years,” she added.
De Ocampo also said that the underlying soil of the Davao City is soft compared to other cities like Mati, which is often rocked by quakes along the Philippine Trench.
“Mati is slightly rocky. What will happen is that the intensity of Davao City is higher even though Mati is the epicenter of the earthquake,” she said.(davaotoday.com)
