THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday, September 4, launched the Metro Davao Earthquake Model (MDEM) Atlas, a comprehensive mapping of earthquake prone areas in Davao City, at the Grand Regal Hotel in Lanang, this city.
Phivolcs undersecretary Renato Solidum said the atlas is an instrument consisting of maps that show seismic ground motion hazard assessment from various earthquake sources.
Solidum said the map can be used as a guide by the people and experts to assess a certain location if it is prone to earthquake or not, adding that it is also useful especially that there have been various constructions that is happening right now in the city.
“Please note that earthquakes do not kill people, but buildings that collapse or houses that collapse do,” Solidum said.
He added the atlas can assess the needed improvements on a certain structure in order to withstand earthquakes and lessen casualties.
“It can also help people decide where to build their houses and how are they going to build their houses. If they saw that their house is in a seismic hazard prone area, they can implement safety measures and improve the structural aspect of their house,” Solidum said.
City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) head Alfredo Baloran said there will be another “Walk The Fault” activity to be conducted in partnership with the DOST-Phivolcs and Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Davao to determine the exact location of the fault and inform the public, especially those who are living atop the fault line, of their vulnerability when these faults move.
Last June, Phivolcs together with CDRRMO and OCD-Davao identified 60 villages that are in danger since they transect in the five-segment Central Davao Fault System.
The fault system includes the Tamugan Fault with 25 kilometers (kms) length and can produce 6.7-magnitude earthquake; Lacson Fault with 33 kms and can trigger a 6.8-magnitude quake; 18-kilometer Dacudao Fault with 6.5-magnitude quake; Pangyan-Biao with 33 kms and 6.8-magnitude quake; and the 12-kilometer New Carmen Fault that may cause a 6.3-magnitude earthquake. All are part of the third district.
Solidum, meanwhile, said the launching of the atlas is timely for the city to use it in their comprehensive land use planning especially in identifying and relocating residents. (Vince Eugene A. Suaner/UM intern)