Sunday, August 16, 2015

The Next Big Quake in Metro Manila - The Big One (2nd Grading-No. 1)

by: KIM LUCES, GMA News

Earthquakes are impossible to predict but, based on historical records, Metro Manila's West Valley Fault is due for the Next Big One within our lifetimes.


A possible 7.2 earthquake looms around the corner if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks, Renato Solidum Jr., Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director warns.


The West Valley Fault that runs from the heights of Sierra Madre down to Laguna. It crosses the eastern side of Quezon City, western side of Marikina, western part of Pasig, eastern part of Makati, parts of Taguig, and Muntinlupa.


The fault has moved four times in the past 1,400 years. On average, it moves every 400 years, “+/- 10 to 100 years, maybe”, Solidum says. The last time an earthquake occurred along the West Valley fault was in 1658, around 355 years ago.


“It can happen within our generation or the next generation,” Solidum says.


All of Manila Shaking



The earthquake can occur anywhere along the West Valley Fault, including Metro Manila. But a 7.2 magnitude earthquake can shake the ground even a hundred kilometers away, which means that it can shake the whole of Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces.


Solidum reiterates that weak, poorly designed, and poorly constructed buildings far from the earthquake fault are still vulnerable to destruction.


Grounds can also be affected by liquefaction, a process where loose, sandy sediments behave like liquid, Solidum explains. It becomes weak. This can cause poorly designed or constructed buildings and homes to subside or tilt, roads fissured, and water banks broken.

Areas near the waters like Marikina Valley down to Manila de Ba-i, and the coastal cities of Metro Manila are also more likely to experience stronger ground shaking due to the softer ground they sit on. 
 
 

Preparedness Begins at Home

We hear that Manila is not prepared to handle a major disaster but there are many things we can do to minimize the impact to your own household. Preparedness begins at home and preparing Manila means ensuring that enough families take simple steps to look after themselves.



References:
1. Article
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316877/scitech/science/the-next-big-quake-in-metro-manila-may-hit-within-our-lifetime

http://preparemanila.org/

2. Photos
http://www.trendingnewsportal.com/2014/07/72-magnitude-earthquake-in-metro-manila.html 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2015/06/tolentino1.jpg
http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/00001/0001016880.jpg 

Earthquakes are impossible to predict but, based on historical records, Metro Manila's West Valley Fault is due for the Next Big One within our lifetimes.
 
A possible 7.2 earthquake looms around the corner if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks, Renato Solidum Jr., Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director warns.
 
The West Valley Fault that runs from the heights of Sierra Madre down to Laguna. It crosses the eastern side of Quezon City, western side of Marikina, western part of Pasig, eastern part of Makati, parts of Taguig, and Muntinlupa.
 
The fault has moved four times in the past 1,400 years. On average, it moves every 400 years, “+/- 10 to 100 years, maybe”, Solidum says. The last time an earthquake occurred along the West Valley fault was in 1658, around 355 years ago.
 
“It can happen within our generation or the next generation,” Solidum says.
 
All of Manila shaking
 
The earthquake can occur anywhere along the West Valley Fault, including Metro Manila. But a 7.2 magnitude earthquake can shake the ground even a hundred kilometers away, which means that it can shake the whole of Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces.
 
Solidum reiterates that weak, poorly designed, and poorly constructed buildings far from the earthquake fault are still vulnerable to destruction.
 
Grounds can also be affected by liquefaction, a process where loose, sandy sediments behave like liquid, Solidum explains. It becomes weak. This can cause poorly designed or constructed buildings and homes to subside or tilt, roads fissured, and water banks broken.
 
Areas near the waters like Marikina Valley down to Manila de Ba-i, and the coastal cities of Metro Manila are also more likely to experience stronger ground shaking due to the softer ground they sit on.
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316877/scitech/science/the-next-big-quake-in-metro-manila-may-hit-within-our-lifetime#sthash.UPSTvi6B.dpuf
Earthquakes are impossible to predict but, based on historical records, Metro Manila's West Valley Fault is due for the Next Big One within our lifetimes.
 
A possible 7.2 earthquake looms around the corner if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks, Renato Solidum Jr., Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director warns.
 
The West Valley Fault that runs from the heights of Sierra Madre down to Laguna. It crosses the eastern side of Quezon City, western side of Marikina, western part of Pasig, eastern part of Makati, parts of Taguig, and Muntinlupa.
 
The fault has moved four times in the past 1,400 years. On average, it moves every 400 years, “+/- 10 to 100 years, maybe”, Solidum says. The last time an earthquake occurred along the West Valley fault was in 1658, around 355 years ago.
 
“It can happen within our generation or the next generation,” Solidum says.
 
All of Manila shaking
 
The earthquake can occur anywhere along the West Valley Fault, including Metro Manila. But a 7.2 magnitude earthquake can shake the ground even a hundred kilometers away, which means that it can shake the whole of Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces.
 
Solidum reiterates that weak, poorly designed, and poorly constructed buildings far from the earthquake fault are still vulnerable to destruction.
 
Grounds can also be affected by liquefaction, a process where loose, sandy sediments behave like liquid, Solidum explains. It becomes weak. This can cause poorly designed or constructed buildings and homes to subside or tilt, roads fissured, and water banks broken.
 
Areas near the waters like Marikina Valley down to Manila de Ba-i, and the coastal cities of Metro Manila are also more likely to experience stronger ground shaking due to the softer ground they sit on.
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316877/scitech/science/the-next-big-quake-in-metro-manila-may-hit-within-our-lifetime#sthash.UPSTvi6B.dpuf
Questions: 
 1. Are you prepared for the "Big One"?
    (Handa ka na ba sa paparating na "The Big One"?)

2. What preparations you and your family are having? 
    (Ano ang mga paghahandang ginagawa mo at ng iyong pamilya?) 
Earthquakes are impossible to predict but, based on historical records, Metro Manila's West Valley Fault is due for the Next Big One within our lifetimes.
A possible 7.2 earthquake looms around the corner if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks, Renato Solidum Jr., Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director warns.
The West Valley Fault that runs from the heights of Sierra Madre down to Laguna. It crosses the eastern side of Quezon City, western side of Marikina, western part of Pasig, eastern part of Makati, parts of Taguig, and Muntinlupa.
The fault has moved four times in the past 1,400 years. On average, it moves every 400 years, “+/- 10 to 100 years, maybe”, Solidum says. The last time an earthquake occurred along the West Valley fault was in 1658, around 355 years ago.
“It can happen within our generation or the next generation,” Solidum says.
All of Manila shaking
The earthquake can occur anywhere along the West Valley Fault, including Metro Manila. But a 7.2 magnitude earthquake can shake the ground even a hundred kilometers away, which means that it can shake the whole of Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces.
Solidum reiterates that weak, poorly designed, and poorly constructed buildings far from the earthquake fault are still vulnerable to destruction.
Grounds can also be affected by liquefaction, a process where loose, sandy sediments behave like liquid, Solidum explains. It becomes weak. This can cause poorly designed or constructed buildings and homes to subside or tilt, roads fissured, and water banks broken.
Areas near the waters like Marikina Valley down to Manila de Ba-i, and the coastal cities of Metro Manila are also more likely to experience stronger ground shaking due to the softer ground they sit on.
Preparation remains best option
Unlike storms and typhoons, earthquakes cannot be “forecasted” and can only be predicted by looking at how often it happens in history. To date, there are no scientific instruments that predicts when an earthquake will occur.
Solidum says that the possibility of a movement from the West Valley Fault is a more than enough reason for the us to prepare for it as soon as we can.
The most important preparation measure, Solidum says, is to make sure that buildings, houses , and infrastructures in Metro Manila are earthquake and fire resistant.
He also says that at the local level, the physical integrity of the buildings should be assessed. “The issue though is some of the buildlings are non-engineered and most likely walang permit so they have to focus on that also,” he adds.
Major lifelines like water and power supply, and communication means should be strengthened and made fire and earthquake proof.
Another is to have an efficient relief and recovery system after the earthquake. Solidum suggests a “bayanihan” style of relief and recovery where provinces unaffected by the earthquake could help those that are unaffected.
“Preparedness need not only be concentrated in Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces, but [also to] the other regions.” 
First aid and rescue should be available in each community in case major assistance cannot immediately arrive in their area after an earthquake. — TJD/OMG, GMA News
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316877/scitech/science/the-next-big-quake-in-metro-manila-may-hit-within-our-lifetime#sthash.UPSTvi6B.dpuf
Earthquakes are impossible to predict but, based on historical records, Metro Manila's West Valley Fault is due for the Next Big One within our lifetimes.
A possible 7.2 earthquake looms around the corner if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks, Renato Solidum Jr., Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director warns.
The West Valley Fault that runs from the heights of Sierra Madre down to Laguna. It crosses the eastern side of Quezon City, western side of Marikina, western part of Pasig, eastern part of Makati, parts of Taguig, and Muntinlupa.
The fault has moved four times in the past 1,400 years. On average, it moves every 400 years, “+/- 10 to 100 years, maybe”, Solidum says. The last time an earthquake occurred along the West Valley fault was in 1658, around 355 years ago.
“It can happen within our generation or the next generation,” Solidum says.
All of Manila shaking
The earthquake can occur anywhere along the West Valley Fault, including Metro Manila. But a 7.2 magnitude earthquake can shake the ground even a hundred kilometers away, which means that it can shake the whole of Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces.
Solidum reiterates that weak, poorly designed, and poorly constructed buildings far from the earthquake fault are still vulnerable to destruction.
Grounds can also be affected by liquefaction, a process where loose, sandy sediments behave like liquid, Solidum explains. It becomes weak. This can cause poorly designed or constructed buildings and homes to subside or tilt, roads fissured, and water banks broken.
Areas near the waters like Marikina Valley down to Manila de Ba-i, and the coastal cities of Metro Manila are also more likely to experience stronger ground shaking due to the softer ground they sit on.
Preparation remains best option
Unlike storms and typhoons, earthquakes cannot be “forecasted” and can only be predicted by looking at how often it happens in history. To date, there are no scientific instruments that predicts when an earthquake will occur.
Solidum says that the possibility of a movement from the West Valley Fault is a more than enough reason for the us to prepare for it as soon as we can.
The most important preparation measure, Solidum says, is to make sure that buildings, houses , and infrastructures in Metro Manila are earthquake and fire resistant.
He also says that at the local level, the physical integrity of the buildings should be assessed. “The issue though is some of the buildlings are non-engineered and most likely walang permit so they have to focus on that also,” he adds.
Major lifelines like water and power supply, and communication means should be strengthened and made fire and earthquake proof.
Another is to have an efficient relief and recovery system after the earthquake. Solidum suggests a “bayanihan” style of relief and recovery where provinces unaffected by the earthquake could help those that are unaffected.
“Preparedness need not only be concentrated in Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces, but [also to] the other regions.” 
First aid and rescue should be available in each community in case major assistance cannot immediately arrive in their area after an earthquake. — TJD/OMG, GMA News
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/316877/scitech/science/the-next-big-quake-in-metro-manila-may-hit-within-our-lifetime#sthash.UPSTvi6B.dpuf
By KIM LUCES, GMA News
By KIM LUCES, GMA News
By KIM LUCES, GMA News
By KIM LUCES, GMA News
By KIM LUCES, GMA News

Sunday, January 17, 2010

El Niño Phenomena 2010 (3rd Grading-No. 7)

El Nino is a natural weather phenomenon that disrupts the climate of the tropical Pacific Ocean. However, it has great consequences on the weather around the world, such as more rain in the southern United States of America and in Peru, and droughts in Indonesia, Australia and much of Asia.

El Nino is characterized by the weakening or reversal of trade winds blowing across the tropical Pacific Ocean. During an El Nino, these trade winds blow across the surface of the water from east, off the coast of Indonesia and Australia, to the west, to the coast of Peru. This blowing of the trade winds across the surface of the ocean brings warm surface water, which is heated by the sun, to the western coasts of South America.

Regions of low pressure are formed over the warm surface waters, causing moisture-rich air from the high-pressure regions over the other parts of the ocean to rush into the low-pressure region over the western coast off South America (if you remember, there is a body of warm surface water off the coasts of South America). This moisture rich air brings rains to North and South America, but brings drought to Asia.

Usually, the heating of the surface of the ocean waters off the western coast of South America during an El Nino begins in summer and gradually builds till the end of the year, when the ocean waters are the warmest. Then, the El Nino will be over by the next summer.

During non-El Nino conditions, the trade winds blow across the equatorial Pacific Ocean from the west, off the coast of South America, eastwards, towards Indonesia and Australia. This causes the warm surface waters of the ocean to be held back against the coasts of Indonesia and Australia, resulting in rains and monsoon seasons across Asia and Australia, and droughts in South America.

Peruvian sailors had to deal with the change in temperature of the water that affected the food change. Since this reversal of the water flow usually peaked around the Christian Christmas holiday, these sailors named it "El Nino" meaning "the Christ Child" in Spanish.

Quick Facts:

1976-77: This El Nino spread severe cold over the eastern United States, and drought in the west. The Polar regions of the world turned so cold that bears didn't hibernate that winter, and 85 percent of the ground was covered with snow during January 1977. In Miami, Florida, there were reports of snow flurries, and in Buffalo, New York, snow drifts were two stories high. Can you say cold?

1982-83: In North America during this El Nino, there was very strange weather, while Australia suffered from a terrible drought and devastating bushfires. The countries on the edge of the Sahel Desert suffered from major drought, and the monsoons failed in the Indian Ocean. Total damages ranged from $8 billion to $13 billion, and 2,000 lives were lost.

1990-95: This El Nino wasn't known for its harshness, but for the length. This was the longest recorded El Nino.

Questions:

1. What can El Niño do to the world, particularly to the Philippines?
(Ano ang mga epektong dulot ng El Niño Phenomena sa Pilipinas?)

2. What can you suggest to minimize its effects to our country?
(Ano ang pwede nating gawin para labanan ang masamang epektong dulot ng El Niño?)