Phivolcs Chief: Marikina And Major Metro Manila Areas Under 7.2 Magnitude Quake Risk

The Marikina West Valley fault line runs from San Mateo, Rizal and Taguig City in the south, along major areas of Metro Manila and Quezon City, and extends all the way to Paraňaque and Pasig City.

The Marikina West Valley fault line is one of the country’s most active faults, and the whole city is at risk of as much as a 7.2 magnitude earthquake with a full and sudden movement of the earth’s plates.

The Marikina West Valley fault line is among the most active fault lines in the Philippines, and with a sudden shifting of the earth’s tectonic plates, it could cause a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the area.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), tremors may be as high as four or five on the Richter scale, but can reach up to 7.2 during a full movement of the earth, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said Tuesday at the Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila where he spoke in front of The Forum of the Catholic Media Network (CMN) and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) .

However, Solidum said that an earthquake of that magnitude is only likely to occur if tremors along the fault line reach its full potential. He also dispelled fears that the Philippines may be devastated by a tsunami following the aftermath of an earthquake as it did in Japan Friday. He said the Japanese earthquake has already been classified by international seismologists as having reached magnitude 9, which the Marikina West Valley fault isn’t capable of generating.

Solidum reiterates that Phivolcs top concern now is “how much we are prepared.”  The question is whether schools, malls, churches, offices, and other establishments know what to do in the event of an earthquake, Solidum said. He further explained that shorter buildings will take the bulk of the damage compared to high-rises in an earthquake as the shaking will be “quick and short,” and they are likely to be subject to stronger swaying.

The Phivolcs chief also reassured everyone present that Phovolcs is currently monitoring the Marikina West Valley fault closely, as well as paying equal attention to other fault lines traversing the archipelago, such as the Philippine Fault Zone which lies along northwestern Luzon to southern Mindanao.

Photo: Google