Big earthquake hitting Manila imminent

Big earthquake hitting Manila imminent

by DailyManila on January 16, 2010

Metro Manila could experience an earthquake more intense than what was felt in Haiti last January 13, with an intensity of 7.3 on the Richter Scale, according to a study made in 2002. The Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study or MMEIRS cites “many research studies (indicating) that active phases of the (West) Valley Faults (formerly the Marikina Valley Faults) are approaching and that the estimated magnitude will be around 7 or more.” MMEIRS also raised the possibility of an intensity more than 7 and could reach up to intensity 9, which could be “devastating.”

A) Map showing the locations of the east and west Marikina Valley faults, which strike through the metropolitan Manila area (Metro Manila, light shading) of central Luzon. The Maislap trench site is on a northeast-trending splay of the west Marikina Valley fault in the northern part of the Marikina Valley. B) Map of the trench site, showing fault traces and trench and stream exposures (Source: USGS)

An article in Bulatlat.com mentions that “up to 35,000 residents of Metro Manila would die and up to three million others would need to be evacuated” if the big earthquake would happen in Metro Manila, with an estimated population of 10 million. The article quoted Dr. Norman Tungol of Phivolcs’ Geology, Geophysics, Research and Development Division (GGRDD) and mentions that he estimated the [Marikina] Fault’s movement of recurrence at 200-400 years and based on this, it is due for another movement this century or within the next few years. Dr. Tungol added that even if there is no need for the people to panic because there is no timetable yet, “dapat mag-prepare because it’s inevitable.”

According to another article written in 2005 on Science Daily, scientists have estimated that major earthquakes occur on average every 50 years in the Caribbean which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The article also mentions a dozen major earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have occurred in the area in the past 500 years. With earthquakes happening at that frequency, scientists say it is not a question of if it will happen but when.

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{ 2 comments }

Negrense March 2, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Manila is doomed sadly . It's not Manila's time yet , but look at Christchurch ,how did it go .
Considering its standard infrastucture wasn't able to withstand the earthquake.This is a call for the government to take action ,not only reassurances but inform the people of big dreadful possibilities to come . Why is constructions and outpouring of so many constructions of building continually centered in Manila .Ok it's the country's capital ,but it's sadly a doomed one .

codybautista September 9, 2011 at 2:40 am

Well Biblically Speaking: An Earthquake is a manifestation of GOD"S WRATH,But we dont have to be worry:Our Lord Jesus Christ Gave Sr,Faustina,The Prayer That CAN APPEASE GOD's WRATH.THE CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY,we better learn now how to pray and avail Our Lord's Divine Mercy.BELIEVE IT OR NOT,THIS CHAPLET HAS THE POWER TO APPEASE GOD's WRATH,This can be prayed in a rosary.or the better mas mainam na awitin ang panalanging ito,3 beses ang katumbas kapag paawit ang panalangin. AMEN

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