Phivolcs issues atlas of Central Digos fault

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it will unveil today an active fault atlas featuring the Central Digos Fault in Davao del Sur to reduce deaths and damage due to earthquakes.

The atlas, titled “The Central Digos Fault Atlas,” will contain “high-resolution active fault maps detailing areas transected by the Central Digos Fault in Digos City, including the buildings and infrastructure prone to ground rupture hazard[s].”

The Central Digos Fault is an active fault that was initially identified and mapped by Phivolcs in 2019. It is 18 kilometers long and traverses portions of Barangays Goma, Dulangan, Ruparan, Binaton, Tres de Mayo, Kiagot, Zone 1, and Aplaya in Digos City.

READ: Davao del Sur hit by magnitude 5 quake; aftershocks expected

Phivolcs said that the fault “traverses a variety of commercial, residential, industrial, and other types of structures in Digos City.” It also has the potential to generate a magnitude 6.6 earthquake, which could lead to “very destructive ground shaking.”

In 2015, Phivolcs also released an atlas featuring the West Valley Fault for the Greater Metro Manila Area. The West Valley Fault spans 100 km and runs through different cities and towns located in Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna. Phivolcs said that the fault could generate a magnitude 7.2 earthquake known as “the Big One,” threatening people, livelihoods, and infrastructure. —Gillian Villanueva