The Philippines sits in the Pacific Ring of Fire. This area often deals with earthquakes and related risks. About 30 active fault systems run through the islands. Knowing about these threats is essential for the people. To help, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) created FaultFinder. This web app provides critical details on active faults. It helps the public learn and prepare for the dangers of earthquakes.
PHIVOLCS FaultFinder comes from a joint effort with the Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ). It’s designed to share info on active faults across the Philippines. This tool is easy to use. It lets you find the closest active faults to where you are or where you’re interested. By showing the locations of these earthquake dangers, FaultFinder boosts readiness. It helps people get ready for the impact of these natural disasters.
Key Takeaways
- PHIVOLCS FaultFinder is a web application that displays active faults in the Philippines
- The app uses proximity searches to identify the nearest active faults from a user’s location or area of interest
- FaultFinder was developed by PHIVOLCS in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ)
- The application aims to provide accurate information on active fault locations to help communities mitigate and prepare for the dangers of ground rupture
- By staying informed about potential earthquake hazards, residents can enhance their preparedness and resilience against seismic events
Introduction to PHIVOLCS FaultFinder
The Philippines is in the Pacific Ring of Fire. It faces many earthquake risks due to its active faults. The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder helps give detailed information on these earthquake zones. This tool changes how people get ready for earthquakes in the country.
What is PHIVOLCS FaultFinder?
The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder is a special website. It helps people see where fault lines are in the Philippines. It was made by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). This tool is easy to use. It shows all the active faults in the country. So, everyone can see how close they are to these faults. Knowing this, people can prepare better for earthquakes. They can make smarter choices to stay safe.
The importance of knowing active fault locations in the Philippines
It’s really important to know where these active faults are in the Philippines. Here’s why:
- Earthquake preparedness: It helps communities get ready for earthquakes. They can plan what to do and check that their buildings are safe.
- Land-use planning: Knowing about fault locations helps decide where to build. This way, important places like hospitals are in safer spots.
- Risk assessments: It’s key for figuring out earthquake risks. This looks at how many people might be affected and what might be damaged.
- Disaster management: If an earthquake happens, knowing the fault’s location is critical. It lets emergency teams act fast to help.
PHIVOLCS FaultFinder is easy to use. It’s a big help for earthquake safety in the Philippines. More awareness means better steps to protect everyone. This is how we fight the bad effects of earthquakes together.
Background and Problem
The Philippines is in a place where earthquakes often happen. There are around 30 fault systems there. These systems, like the Philippine Fault and the Valley Fault System (VFS), are dangerous to people and buildings.
Active fault systems in the Philippines
The Philippine Fault is a big yet risky fault line. It can cause powerful earthquakes. The VFS has two parts running through the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA), putting the capital at risk.
The 1990 Luzon Earthquake and its consequences
The Digdig Segment of the Philippine Fault caused a huge quake in Luzon in 1990. This quake, at a 7.8 magnitude, did a lot of damage. It cost about USD 0.5 billion (PhP 15 billion) and took 1,600 lives.
| Fault System | Potential Magnitude | Areas at Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Philippine Fault (Digdig Segment) | 7.8 | Luzon |
| West Valley Fault (VFS) | 7.2 | Marikina, Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa |
| East Valley Fault (VFS) | 6.2 | Areas along the East Valley Fault |
PHIVOLCS’ efforts to prepare and educate the public on seismic hazards
After the Luzon Earthquake, PHIVOLCS worked harder to ready people for earthquakes. They especially focused on the GMMA, where the Valley Fault System is a big worry.
PHIVOLCS did many things to help, like:
- Making the VFS Atlas, which has maps of the Valley Fault areas
- Creating the PHIVOLCS FaultFinder web app to find active faults near you
- Organizing events to teach communities about earthquake safety
PHIVOLCS wants to inform and help people with tools like the VFS Atlas and FaultFinder. This way, everyone can learn about the dangerous areas and how to stay safe.
The Valley Fault System (VFS) Atlas
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology made the Valley Fault System (VFS) Atlas. It covers the areas the VFS crosses in the Greater Metro Manila Area. This atlas helps people understand the earthquake risks from the Valley Fault System.
What is the VFS Atlas?
The VFS Atlas consists of detailed maps showing the VFS path in the GMMA. It visually represents the earthquake-prone areas from ground ruptures and other risks. The atlas is vital for planning land use, assessing risks, and managing disasters in the region.
Areas transected by the West Valley Fault (WVF)
The West Valley Fault (WVF) spans about 100 kilometers and crosses through many Metro Manila cities.
- Marikina
- Quezon City
- Pasig
- Makati
- Taguig
- Muntinlupa
These cities are at risk of severe damage during a major earthquake on the West Valley Fault.
Potential consequences of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake along the WVF
A study by PHIVOLCS shows a 7.2-magnitude quake on the WVF would be devastating. Hazards might include:
| Hazard | Description |
|---|---|
| Ground shaking | Intense shaking that can damage buildings and infrastructure |
| Liquefaction | Soil loosening, leading to unstable ground and foundation failures |
| Earthquake-induced landslides | Landslides from strong shaking, especially in hilly areas |
| Ground rupture | Visible cracks in the Earth’s surface along the fault line |
To lessen the 7.2-magnitude earthquake risk on the West Valley Fault, it’s key for everyone to know the fault’s path. Communities, businesses, and government must prepare and reduce earthquake risks seriously.
Solution and Impact of PHIVOLCS FaultFinder
The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder and the VFS Atlas fill an info gap between PHIVOLCS and the public. They give easy access to fault maps and locations. The Atlas has 33 maps showing areas touched by the VFS. It uses new base maps and marks fissures made by taking out groundwater.
The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder brings together info on active faults in the Philippines. This makes it simple for anyone to get earthquake hazard data, even if they can’t read maps. It lets users easily find accurate info on fault locations. This helps in reducing risks and prepares communities for ground rupture dangers.
| Publication | Launch Date | Reach and Impact |
|---|---|---|
| VFS Atlas | May 18, 2015 | 1,579 copies distributed on CDs and 106,695 downloaded online by March 2016 |
| PHIVOLCS FaultFinder | July 2016 | More than 170,000 hits with at least 21,000 Facebook users accessing it in the Philippines |
These tools’ launch sparked more talks and knowledge about earthquakes. They also led to more requests for VFS assessments and fault marks on the ground. Many people are now using the VFS Atlas and PHIVOLCS FaultFinder. This shows increasing interest in learning about and getting ready for earthquakes.
PHIVOLCS FaultFinder gives accurate fault info to local governments and stakeholders. It helps with land-use planning, risk checks, and disaster prep. This application is key in making communities in the Philippines stronger against earthquake dangers.
How to Access PHIVOLCS FaultFinder
Getting info on active faults in the Philippines is easy with the PHIVOLCS FaultFinder. It comes in an Android app and a web version. This aims to reach users on different devices and preferences.
Downloading PHIVOLCS FaultFinder on Google Play for Android Devices
Find the PHIVOLCS FaultFinder app for Android at the Google Play Store. Search for it and hit “Install”. You’ll get access to active fault data. It needs internet to work well.
The Android app has a rating of 2.6 out of 5, based on 699 reviews. Some mention bugs, like issues with the Geoportal mode. But, many find it useful for learning about their area’s fault lines.
Accessing the Web Application for iOS, PC, and Laptops
For iOS, PCs, or laptops, use the PHIVOLCS FaultFinder website. Open https://faultfinder.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/ on your browser. This gives you access to the app features without restrictions.
The web app uses a WebGIS model. It pulls information from active fault databases. This provides up-to-date data on the Philippines’ fault lines, helping users make safer choices.
| Platform | Access Method | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Android | Google Play Store download |
|
| iOS, PC, Laptop | Web application (https://faultfinder.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/) |
|
The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder is a team effort of PHIVOLCS, DOST Philippines, Geological Survey of Japan, and National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Japan. Dr. Renato Solidum at PHIVOLCS leads this. The collaboration ensures trustworthy info on active faults. This helps people stay safe from earthquake risks.
Step-by-Step Guide on Using PHIVOLCS FaultFinder
The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder web app helps users find the nearest faults in the Philippines. It gives info on active faults close by. This knowledge is vital for preparing for earthquakes and reducing risks.
Determining Your Current Location
PHIVOLCS FaultFinder locates you using your device. It then shows the nearest active faults. This helps in understanding the risks and planning ahead.
Selecting Your Area of Interest
Users can also pick a place of interest manually. This is great for those exploring new areas or planning to move. By adding the location, users learn about nearby active faults.
Measuring Distances Between Faults and Locations
The app accurately measures how far you are from faults. It finds the closest active fault. This information is key for understanding earthquake risks.
| Fault System | Length (km) | Notable Earthquakes |
|---|---|---|
| Marikina Valley Fault System | 120 | 1863 M7, 1880 M6.5 |
| West Valley Fault | 100 | Potential M7.2 |
| East Valley Fault | – | Potential M6.2 |
PHIVOLCS FaultFinder lets users:
- Spot active faults near them, even at barangay level
- Know the direction and distance to fault lines
- Find the closest hospital and evacuation center if an earthquake hits
- Understand how to use land or plan developments
The app is great for engineers, city planners, developers, and the public. It offers easy access to info on active faults. This improves earthquake readiness and safety efforts in the country.
Benefits of Using PHIVOLCS FaultFinder
The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder app was started in 2016. It helps many people in the Philippines. This app gives the right places where there are active faults. This info is key in making good land-use plans and knowing the risks of earthquakes.
Aids in Land-Use Planning, Risk Assessments, and Disaster Management
The FaultFinder app is great for local governments and those who plan the land. It shows which areas have active faults, like the West Valley Fault. This fault affects a lot of places and buildings. Knowing this helps reduce the risk from earthquakes.
This app is also good at looking at risks. It uses the latest data on how faults move and the size of possible earthquakes. For example, some faults in the Philippines move more than others. Knowing this helps make better plans to protect people and buildings.
Provides Accurate Information on Active Fault Locations for Earthquake Effects Mitigation and Preparedness
The FaultFinder gives local people the right information on where the active faults are. It tells them to keep 5 meters away from a fault for building things. This helps get ready for earthquakes and keeps buildings safer.
The app tells about different fault lines that may cause big earthquakes. For instance, the Marikina Valley Fault has caused big quakes before. Knowing about these risks helps make better plans to keep everyone safe.
| Coastal Area | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Luzon Sea | High |
| Mindoro Strait | Moderate |
| Panay Gulf | Moderate |
| Sulu Sea | Low |
The app also points out which coastal areas might have big undersea earthquakes. It tells how risky each place is. This is important for planning for tsunamis and other big-wave dangers.
To wrap up, the PHIVOLCS FaultFinder is very useful in preparing for earthquakes. It’s good for figuring out risks and making plans. With this app, people and groups can protect themselves better from the dangers of earthquakes.
Milestones and Achievements
The launch of the Valley Fault System (VFS) Atlas and PHIVOLCS FaultFinder has really made a difference. It has helped people in the Philippines learn about earthquake dangers and the need to be ready. Many have used these new tools to get important info on active faults and risks.
Increased Awareness and Discussions Following VFS Atlas Launch
On May 18, 2015, the VFS Atlas was released. This was a key step in preparing for earthquakes. Since then, more people have asked for help understanding the risks near them.
The launch also got people talking about earthquakes. This has shown why knowing about them and being prepared is so vital.
Impressive Reach and Engagement for VFS Atlas and PHIVOLCS FaultFinder
Both the VFS Atlas and PHIVOLCS FaultFinder have done really well in getting the word out. By March 2016, over 1,500 digital copies were handed out on CDs. But more than 106,000 people downloaded it online.
The Atlas made it to big news like The Summit Express and Rappler. This got a lot of Facebook users, about 57,500, to see it. The FaultFinder site also did great, with over 170,000 visits since it started in July 2016. Most of these users were from the Philippines, looking for info on the Valley Fault System.
About 21,000 more people saw the PHIVOLCS FaultFinder app on Facebook. These numbers show the tools are working. They help teach people about earthquakes and what to do. The more they are used, the better the Philippines can be ready for quakes.
