The United Nations is advising the Philippines to be ready for an upcoming big earthquake. A quake with a magnitude of 7.2 or higher on the Richter scale is sure to hit Metro Manila, they say, but the bigger question is when exactly this will happen.
The Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) report published in 2004 predicts that an earthquake with a high magnitude will surely occur because of the Philippine Fault Zone (also called the Marikina Valley Fault System), but experts can’t predict when this disaster may happen.
According to the report, the death toll may reach about 35,000, some 145,000 people may be injured while around 175,000 buildings will be damaged. Where exactly is the West Marikina Valley Fault Line?
It lies northeast of Manila and traverses Marikina , Pasig going to Muntinlupa down to the south.
Instead of being afraid and all panicky, we should make sure we are ready should an earthquake happen. And for those who are located at fault line or near the said fault line make sure to leave the place as soon as possible, it is much better to avoid as early as possible than to wait for the disaster to happen.
Here are some earthquake safety tips to remember.
What to do before the Earthquake
1. Arrange your home for safety: Store heavy objects on lower shelves and store breakable objects in cabinets with latched doors. Don’t hang heavy mirrors or pictures above where people frequently sit or sleep.
2. Store flammable liquids away from potential ignition sources.
3. Stock up on emergency supplies. These include: battery operated radio (and extra batteries), flashlights (and extra batteries), first aid kit, bottled water, two weeks food and medical supplies, blankets, cooking fuel, tools needed to turn off your gas, water and electric utilities.
4. Learn what to do during an earthquake (see During the Earthquake)
What to do during the Earthquake
1. If outdoors, move to an open area where falling objects are unlikely to strike you.
2. If driving, slow down smoothly and stop on the side of the road. Avoid stopping on or under bridges and overpasses, or under power lines, trees and large signs.
3. If indoors, quickly move to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk, a strong table, or along an interior wall. The goal is to protect yourself from falling objects and be located near the structural strong points of the room.
What to do after the Earthquake
1. Check for injuries and attend to people who may need help.
2. If the power is out, unplug appliances to prevent possible damage when the power is turned back on.
3. If you smell or hear a gas leak, get everyone outside and open windows and doors. If you can do it safely, turn off the gas at the meter.
4. If the building is badly damaged, evacuate immediately.
The only powerful thing we can do is to pray it won’t happen.
Below is the List Of Major Fault Lines Of the Philippines:
1. Marikina Valley Fault (Montalban-San Mateo- Marikina - Pasig -Taguig-Muntinlupa-S… Pedro-Binan-Carmona-Santa Rosa-Calamba-Tagaytay-Oriental Mindoro)
2. Western Philippine Fault ( Luzon Sea-Mindoro Strait-Panay Gulf-Sulu Sea )
3. Eastern Philippine Fault ( Philippine Sea )
4. Southern of Mindanao Fault ( Moro Gulf-Celebes Sea )
5. Central Philippine Fault (Entire Ilocos Norte-Aurora-Quezon-Masbate-Eastern Leyte-Southern Leyte-Agusan Del Norte-Agusan Del Sur-Davao del Norte)
*The earthquake that destroyed Guinsaugon is the Central Philippine Fault
*The 1990 earthquake that destroyed Central Luzon and Baguio is also the Central Philippine Fault.
Of these, the MARIKINA VALLEY FAULT poses the greatest danger because it cuts through all the modern and progressive portions of Manila such as Eastwood, Rockwell, Ortigas Center, Bonifacio Global City, Ayala Center, and Alabang. Also, the PhiVolcs people have warned that this fault line can move anytime because it is already 11 years late for its movement.
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