Since 2011, the possibility of a massive earthquake dubbed has brought panic in the region, with the that just one temblor might trigger the dreaded phenomenon.
Earthquakes have consecutively shaken parts of Eastern Visayas, stirring fears of "The Big One” and casting uncertainty over residents' safety.
Since 2011, the possibility of a massive earthquake dubbed as “The Big One” has caused panic in the region. The fear is real: one shake might trigger the dreaded phenomenon.
The recent magnitude 5.1 earthquake that hit Southeast of Dolores, Eastern Samar in the early morning of Thursday, April 11, laid panic among residents.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the intensity of the temblor was felt even in nearby areas and surrounding municipalities. Some parts of Leyte and Samar provinces experienced the intense shake of the quake.
This further caused anxiety and concern with at least 15 recorded earthquakes in the region in a span of seven days.
Samar Trench
PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol earlier sounded the alarm regarding the Philippine Trench, particularly in the Samar region.
He emphasized the Samar trench has the capacity to release an earthquake of magnitude 8.1, a seismic activity with the potential to release wide distractions. Such seismic activity, Bacolcol said, could not only shake the ground beneath but also set off a tsunami reaching heights of up to 10 meters in more or less five minutes from the shake. This anticipated disastrous scenario would greatly affect coastal communities and even beyond.
Furthermore, according to the module of Human Resource Management and Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Organization, “the Philippine Fault Zone has been traced by previous geologists to be about 1,200 kilometers in length or its physio-graphically recognizable feature from Luzon to Mindanao. It passes at the near center of Leyte Island from the town of Leyte, Leyte in the north to the town of St. Bernard in the south.
On the other hand, the west dipping subduction zone, more commonly known as the Philippine trench, is a portion of the well-known Philippine deep. It is located about 60 kilometers from the eastern coast of Eastern Samar and generally trends approximately north-northeast.
At High Risk
The data revealed that the risk of earthquakes in Eastern Visayas Region 8 is categorized as "high".
This indicates that in the next 50 years, there is a greater than 20 percent risk that the project region may experience potentially severe earthquake shaking.
In the past 30 days, Leyte has had 30 quakes and Eastern Samar has experienced 13 quakes.
Given that the Philippines, a country that is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is an area with a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. An average of 20 earthquakes per day is being recorded by the Philippine Seismic Network.
These further spread fear that "The Big One" is about to come, leading people to think of their safety while in the middle of uncertainty about its arrival. This concern highlights the need for communities to prepare and stay resilient against the threat of a major earthquake.
A Question of Preparedness
But the question is, are the people really prepared?
The possibility of a magnitude 8.1 earthquake emerging from the Samar Trench emphasizes the urgent need for disaster preparedness.
PHIVOLCS' warning is just a reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the importance of being prepared. People must remain on the alert while government agencies must be prepared to anticipate and assist people’s needs.
The conduct of seminars and the use of information campaign tools to educate people in terms of improving infrastructure and must strengthen sea walls as a barrier must constantly be realized.
These measures are absolutely vital in guaranteeing the safety and security of the people.
Preparing For The Unpredictable
There is no certainty when such natural disasters will occur. Current technology does not allow for the prediction of earthquakes before they strike.
PHIVOLCS can only measure the intensities of earthquakes after it has already happened, leaving little room for preventive actions.
Thus, being prepared and well-informed is a must. (with reports from Pagadora, Morilla, Miralles, Abalorio)
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