SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Are you prepared if an earthquake strikes the Metro?
Maps of major earthquakes that hit the Philippine archipelago show that most parts of the country are vulnerable to earthquakes. The “Big One,” which experts say may happen in our lifetime, could strike once the West Valley Fault, a fault line that traverses several cities in Metro Manila, moves.
But while scientists have already identified areas vulnerable to earthquakes, just when these hazards are likely to strike are difficult to predict.
To survive the “Big One,” you and your loved ones need to be prepared at all times.
Preparedness starts with knowing the dangers associated with earthquakes and what you need to do to avoid those dangers.
Be on guard. Test your disaster IQ by taking our monster earthquake survival challenge!
Let’s say you just got off work on a Monday afternoon and you are about to pick up your younger sister from her school near your office. You are on the second floor. As you go down the building, you suddenly feel the ground move up and down, then side to side, which goes on for 30 more seconds. It’s an earthquake from the West Valley Fault. What will you do?
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 During an earthquake, especially a strong one, it may be impossible to stand up and walk. What you should do is look for a sturdy table and cover yourself. If you don’t see one, make sure you are away from objects that might fall on you such as chandeliers. Stay away from glass windows as they might shatter. The most important thing is to cover your head and protect yourself from falling debris.
Here are some tips on how to lessen injuries from earthquakes When the shaking stops, you decide to walk out of the building. Outside, you see people going out of their offices, panicking. Some buildings have partly collapsed and debris are scattered everywhere. How will you go to your sister?
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 Phivolcs has been telling the public that during a strong earthquake, it is almost impossible to stand up. They advise doing the “Duck, Cover and Hold” by looking for a sturdy table, hiding under it, and covering your head. According to Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum, the most important thing is to protect your head from falling debris. If you don’t see one, make sure you are away from objects that might fall on you such as chandeliers. Stay away from glass windows as they might shatter. Here are some tips on how to lessen injuries from earthquakes. After the shaking stops, you try to contact your sister but because of the jammed communication lines, you can’t. You finally decide to walk to your sister’s school. There are two ways to reach your sister’s school. For the first one, you will have to pass through a new subdivision where there are not much houses yet. The second one is the main road where there are buildings on both sides of the road. The first one will take you much longer to reach your sister’s school. Which way will you go?
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 It will be almost impossible to use a car after a strong earthquake because of the debris scattered everywhere, and roads being damaged. It will be advisable to just walk. However, when walking, avoid crossing overpasses as they might already be damaged from the shaking. Stay away from buildings, light posts, and trees that are prone to collapsing. Once you reach your sister’s school, you find her in an open area, along with her classmates. Where do you go next?
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 Using your car might not be the best option as debris from collapsed structures will make it difficult for vehicles to move. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum also said that the Metro will be isolated because of collapsed bridges and debris from collapsed structures, making transportation from one city to another difficult. With strong aftershocks likely to occur, you will feel driving on a flat tire. If you are inside a moving car, you have to pull to the side, and get out. It is also important to avoid steep slopes, tall structures, poles and trees. Bridges and flyovers will also be unreliable, so avoid attempting to cross any. You decide that it is then best to walk to your sister’s school. You find her in the school quadrangle along with many students. Where do you go next?
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 After an earthquake strikes, it is advisable to go to an open area where there are no tall buildings that may collapse. While walking, however, be mindful of light posts and trees that may also fall on you. Avoid crossing overpasses, as the may be damaged from the previous ground shaking. Stay away from steep slopes as they may be prone to landslides. Once you reach your sister’s school, you find her in an open area, along with her classmates. Where do you go next?
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 According to Phivolcs, after an earthquake strikes, you have to go to an open area, far from old buildings because aftershocks are likely to follow. Buildings not totally damaged from the earthquake could still collapse due to that aftershocks. In the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), it is said that about 40% of buildings in Metro Manila will be damaged. Of these, the study projected that residential buildings will sustain bulk of damages from the earthquake. Details of damage projections below: ● Residential buildings – 339, 800 (25.6%) partly damaged; 168,300 (12.7%) heavily damaged ● Mid-rise buildings (10-30 stories) – 27% partly damaged, 11% heavily damaged ● High-rise buildings (30-60 stories) – 2% heavily damaged, 12% partly damaged ● Public-purpose buildings – 8-10% heavily damaged, 20-25% partly damaged While walking, be mindful of light posts and trees that may also fall on you. Avoid crossing overpasses, as the may be damaged from the previous ground shaking. Stay away from steep slopes too, as they are prone to landslides. While walking, you try to contact your sister but you can’t because majority of the communication lines in Metro are disrupted. You then find her in the school quadrangle, along with other students. Where do you go next?
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 According to the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake from the West Valley Fault can cause fire breakouts in different parts of the Metro – most of these will happen in urban poor areas especially in ● Navotas Bay Area, ● Manila North Port Area, ● South Eastern Manila City Area, ● Central Manila Bay Area, ● Valenzuela – Kalookan, ● South-Quezon west intersection.
The study also says that majority of the buildings that will collapse or be damaged from this earthquake will come from residential buildings. These findings mean that if you live in these areas, just staying in open areas where there are no buildings nearby and not going back home might be the best option. Remember, though, that there should be no tall buildings near those open areas because aftershocks might cause them to collapse totally. As soon as you reach an open area, people start flocking in that it becomes too crowded. You decide to leave. Where do you go?
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 According to the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), majority of the buildings that will collapse or be damaged from a magnitude 7.2 earthquake will be residential buildings. At that time, the MMEIRS said 339, 800 (25.6%) residential buildings will be partly damaged; 168,300 (12.7%) will be heavily damaged. (READ:Can your house withstand major earthquakes? ) It can cause fire breakouts in different parts of the Metro – most of these will happen in urban poor areas especially in ● Navotas Bay Area, ● Manila North Port Area, ● South Eastern Manila City Area, ● Central Manila Bay Area, ● Valenzuela – Kalookan, ● South-Quezon west intersection. These findings mean that if you live in these areas, going back home might not be the best option. You might either find that your house is collapsed or your neigborhood is on fire. When you reach your home, you find out that it is already damaged and the houses in your neighborhood are on fire. Where do you go?
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 In its list of things to do, Phivolcs has been telling the public not to stay inside a building after a strong earthquake because of possible aftershocks that may eventually damage buildings. During the 1990 Luzon earthquake, survivors and rescuers said that what made everything more difficult were the non-stop aftershocks that went on for days. Aftershocks can also be stronger than the main earthquake, in that case, it will be called a foreshock. According to the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) 40% of buildings in Metro Manila will collapse: ● Residential buildings – 339, 800 (25.6%) partly damaged; 168,300 (12.7%) heavily damaged ● Mid-rise buildings (10-30 stories) – 27% partly damaged, 11% heavily damaged ● High-rise buildings (30-60 stories) – 2% heavily damaged, 12% partly damaged ● Public-purpose buildings – 8-10% heavily damaged, 20-25% partly damaged Because of possible aftershocks, you decide to stay away from buildings instead. Where do you go next?
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 In the event of a strong earthquake, Metro Manila will be divided into four quadrants so that help will easily be given. Here is a list of mass evacuation sites per quadrant. As soon as you reach the designated evacuation center, people start flocking in that it becomes too crowded. Food and water become scarce too. You decide to leave. Where do you go?
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According to the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), majority of the buildings that will collapse or be damaged from a magnitude 7.2 earthquake will be residential buildings. At that time, the MMEIRS said 339, 800 (25.6%) residential buildings will be partly damaged; 168,300 (12.7%) will be heavily damaged. (READ:Can your house withstand major earthquakes? ) It can cause fire breakouts in different parts of the Metro – most of these will happen in urban poor areas especially in ● Navotas Bay Area, ● Manila North Port Area, ● South Eastern Manila City Area, ● Central Manila Bay Area, ● Valenzuela – Kalookan, ● South-Quezon west intersection.
If you live in these areas, going back home might not be the best option. You might either find that your house is collapsed or your neighborhood is on fire. |
 In its list of things to do, Phivolcs has been telling the public not to stay inside a building after a strong earthquake because of possible aftershocks that may eventually damage buildings. During the 1990 Luzon earthquake, survivors and rescuers said that what made everything more difficult were the non-stop aftershocks that went on for days. Aftershocks can also be stronger than the main earthquake, in that case, it will be called a foreshock. According to the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), 40% of buildings in Metro Manila will collapse: ● Residential buildings – 339, 800 (25.6%) partly damaged; 168,300 (12.7%) heavily damaged ● Mid-rise buildings (10-30 stories) – 27% partly damaged, 11% heavily damaged ● High-rise buildings (30-60 stories) – 2% heavily damaged, 12% partly damaged ● Public-purpose buildings – 8-10% heavily damaged, 20-25% partly damaged This means that the best option is to stay away from buildings, especially old ones, and go to the nearest open area where buildings are far. |
In its list of things to do, Phivolcs has been telling the public not to stay inside a building after a strong earthquake because of possible aftershocks that may eventually damage buildings. During the 1990 Luzon earthquake, survivors and rescuers said that what made everything more difficult were the non-stop aftershocks that went on for days. Aftershocks can also be stronger than the main earthquake, in that case, it will be called a foreshock. According to the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), 40% of buildings in Metro Manila will collapse: ● Residential buildings – 339, 800 (25.6%) partly damaged; 168,300 (12.7%) heavily damaged ● Mid-rise buildings (10-30 stories) – 27% partly damaged, 11% heavily damaged ● High-rise buildings (30-60 stories) – 2% heavily damaged, 12% partly damaged ● Public-purpose buildings – 8-10% heavily damaged, 20-25% partly damaged |
According to the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), majority of the buildings that will collapse or be damaged from a magnitude 7.2 earthquake will be residential buildings. At that time, the MMEIRS said 339, 800 (25.6%) residential buildings will be partly damaged; 168,300 (12.7%) will be heavily damaged. (READ:Can your house withstand major earthquakes? ) It can cause fire breakouts in different parts of the Metro – most of these will happen in urban poor areas especially in ● Navotas Bay Area, ● Manila North Port Area, ● South Eastern Manila City Area, ● Central Manila Bay Area, ● Valenzuela – Kalookan, ● South-Quezon west intersection.
It is also important to take note that if your house is near a dam, you are also at risk. After a strong ground shaking, dams near the faultline such as Angat Dam, where about 97% of Metro Manila gets its water supply, may also be affected by a strong ground shaking, resulting to a potential water leakage. These findings mean that if you live in these areas, going back home might not be the best option. |
 According to Phivolcs, when the West Valley Fault moves, provinces surrounding Metro Manila such as parts of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan will also be affected by a strong ground shaking, possibly damaging main highways connecting them to Metro Manila such as South Luzon Expressway and North Luzon Expressway. You also have to make sure that you have with you a disaster kit (good for at least 3 days). |
Because the houses in your neighbourhood are either damaged or on fire, you and your neighbors have nowhere to go. One of your neighbours finds out that your city has a designated mass evacuation center where there are food, water and doctors to assist. You all decide to go together. In the event of a strong earthquake, Metro Manila will be divided into four quadrants so that help will easily be given. Here is a list of mass evacuation sites per quadrant. |
Because the houses in your neighbourhood are either damaged or on fire, you and your neighbors have nowhere to go. One of your neighbours finds out that your city has a designated mass evacuation center where there are food, water and doctors to assist. You all decide to go together. In the event of a strong earthquake, Metro Manila will be divided into four quadrants so that help will easily be given. Here is a list of mass evacuation sites. |
Phivolcs says that when the West Valley Fault moves, provinces surrounding Metro Manila such as parts of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan will also be affected by a strong ground shaking, possibly damaging main highways connecting them to Metro Manila such as South Luzon Expressway and North Luzon Expressway. It will be difficult to travel by car too, so walking is the only option. According to a netizen who shared her experience during the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the only way he was able to reach La Union from Baguio was to walk, because landslides and debris everywhere made travelling by car very difficult. (READ: Faith and Science: Lessons from the 1990 Luzon earthquake) You also have to make sure that you have with you a disaster kit (good for at least 3 days). |
According to Phivolcs, when the West Valley Fault moves, provinces surrounding Metro Manila such as parts of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan will also be affected by a strong ground shaking, possibly damaging main highways connecting them to Metro Manila such as South Luzon Expressway and North Luzon Expressway. It will be difficult to travel by car too, so walking is the only option. According to a netizen who shared her experience during the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the only way he was able to reach La Union from Baguio was to walk, because landslides and debris everywhere made travelling by car very difficult. (READ: Faith and Science: Lessons from the 1990 Luzon earthquake) You also have to make sure that you have with you a disaster kit (good for at least 3 days). |
– Rappler.com
Facts used in this quiz came from various sources such as the 2004 Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study and interviews with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), a Project Agos partner.
Project Agos is a collaborative platform that combines top-down government action with bottom-up civic engagement to help communities learn about climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
It harnesses technology and social media to ensure critical information flows to those who need it before, during, and after a disaster.
Project Agos is supported by the Australian Government.
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