WITH Metro Manila bracing for the “Big One,” an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that preparations should not only focus on Metro Manila but should cascade to the different parts of Luzon which are also at risk.
During the press briefing of the Department of Education about schools on fault lines on Tuesday, Phivolcs Seismology Division OIC Ishmael Narag said that the 7.2 earthquake from the West Valley Fault System could affect five provinces in Luzon.
“People are only concentrating on Metro Manila. But actually, when we look at the 7.2 earthquake, it will affect significantly Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and parts of Pampanga,” Narag said.
He said that the estimated damage from the magnitude 7.2 quake could reach “Intensity VIII or higher.”
According to the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale, an Intensity VIII earthquake is classified as “very destructive” where people find difficulty in standing and many buildings suffer considerable damage.
As part of its preparations for the destructive quake, Phivolcs has released detailed maps of places transected by the West Valley Fault compiled in the 120-page book called “Valley Fault System in Greater Metro Manila Areas Atlas.”
It has a total of 33 maps for the 18 cities and municipalities in Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Metro Manila transected by the 100-kilometer fault line.
The West Valley Fault traverses 18 cities and municipalities: Makati City, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Pasig City, Quezon City and Taguig City; Doña Remedios Trinidad and Norzagaray and San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan; Rodriguez town in Rizal; Biñan City, Cabuyao City and Calamba City, San Pedro City and Sta. Rosa City in Laguna; and Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez and Silang in Cavite.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also hold a one-hour metro-wide quake drill on July 30 to prepare people for the strong quake. AC