The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned the residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces that a possible magnitude 7.2 earthquake might now strike anytime due to irregular movements of west valley fault.
Everyone should prepare for the “big one” earthquake that could kill thousands.This is according to the Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum.
Director Solidum said the west valley fault moves roughly every 400 years and the last major earthquake generated by this fault was in 1658 or 357 years ago, so the fault is ripe for movement anytime soon.
The area in which the 100-kilometer fault traverses are the area of Bulacan through Quezon City, Marikina, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila; San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna; and Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez, and up to Silang in Cavite.
Phivolcs could not give the specific time when it will happen. They only warned and confirmed the public that the quake could strike anytime.
A 2004 study funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency for Phivolcs and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority showed that the magnitude 7.2 quake could kill up to 34,000 people and injure 100,000 others due to collapsed buildings.
Some studies show that a 32-foot tsunami could be created by the upcoming disastrous seismic tremor so the residents in the coastal towns of the affected areas should prepare for the quake could possibly strike anytime.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) additionally clarified that San Manuel Fault Line in the province where San Roque Dam situated could be influenced by the tremor because of west valley fault movement.
According to PDRRMC spokesperson Avenix Arenas, the 4 coastal towns of Pangasinan might experience a devastating tsunami because of the expected movement of Manila trench in the West Philippine Sea.
He also said that Bulacan, Metro Manila up to Southern Luzon possibly will be the most quake and tsunami affected areas. – JCE.
source: Philstar, DOST-Phivolcs fault finder,
