(Eagle News) — Residents of Metro Manila and surrounding provinces should be ready for the “big one,” especially as the West Valley Fault is ripe for movement, according to the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
This was the warning of Phivolcs director Renato Solidum following the 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Surigao.
“Everyone must learn from the recent effects of the magnitude 6.7 earthquake in Surigao del Norte. If a similar event happens in a highly urbanized area, the effects can be more devastating,” Solidum said.
He said the West Valley Fault moves roughly every 400 years, and that the last major earthquake caused by this fault was in 1658 or 357 years ago.
The 100-kilometer fault traverses parts 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 Silang in Cavite.
It is thus important for the residents of these areas to know what to do when a big quake occurs.
Phivolcs is still recording aftershocks even on Tuesday, more than three days after Friday’s 6.7 magnitude quake in Surigao.
In fact, at 4:03 a.m. Tuesday (February 14), Phivolcs recorded a 4.9 magnitude aftershock 11 kilometers west of Surigao City.
This 4.9 magnitude aftershock was one of the stronger aftershocks to hit the province after the 6.7 magnitude quake that killed 8 persons and injured more than 200. The previous 4.9 magnitude aftershock in the area was recorded on Saturday, February 11, at 5:11 p.m.
More than 120 aftershocks have been recorded by Phivolcs as of Tuesday morning. (February 14)
Phivolcs said that the next big quake that could happen because of the West Valley Fault could have a magnitude of 7 or 7.2, or even higher.
Eagle News Service