Phivolcs forms team for ‘earthquake preparedness’

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief Renato Solidum. AFP File Photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has created a team to determine how people can be better prepared against earthquakes.

“We’ll look into the science behind that earthquake and its aftershocks. We’ll investigate if this fault moved and caused Tuesday’s earthquake,” said Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum in a statement released by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Tuesday after a 7.2 magnitude quake hit Cebu, Bohol and other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Solidum said it was possible that the East Bohol Fault, located in Bohol Island’s southeastern portion, was responsible for the tremor. He said the last time that the fault moved was in the 1990s.

Solidum said that Phivolcs would look into soil samples that are prone to liquefaction or softening of the soil and landslides and could therefore result in the collapse of structures built on them during an earthquake.

The data gathered by the earthquake investigation team will be used “to help refine earthquake preparedness,” said Solidum.

“Each area should have its own earthquake scenario so corresponding preparations can be made,” he said.

The Phivolcs director said the team also sought to conduct an information campaign so people affected by the earthquake would have a better understanding on its causes and effects.

“We hope to allay fears of people there and remind them of need to prepare for earthquakes,” he added.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake, which hit at 8:12 am, killed at least 30 people and caused massive structural damage, particularly in Cebu and Bohol.