The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, together with the Department of Science and Technology, launched last week a seismic hazard atlas which identifies fault lines and other hazards in any given area, which can serve as a critical tool for the construction of buildings as it will help determine areas where high rises are suitable.
PHIVOLCS unveiled the Seismic Hazard Atlas for the Design Earthquake of the Philippines, which features seismic maps developed by the DOST in the past years. “This atlas is a crucial resource for improving the safety and durability of buildings across the country, providing scientific foundation for earthquake resistant design practices,” the PHIVOLCS press release said.
The atlas includes “high quality seismic hazard ground motion maps that will serve as a critical tool for structural design and urban planning in earthquake prone areas.”
The maps also show areas in the country that have active fault lines and identify possible hazards in the construction of buildings.
“When we want to really prepare the Philippines for its various natural hazards, we need to make sure that the location of our structures are in less hazardous places, for us to be able to make it resilient,” Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said during the launch of the atlas.
One feature of the atlas is the first Transition Long-Period Map of the Philippines, which aims to help engineers assess the impact of long-period ground motions on buildings, particularly high rises.
“The successful development of the Seismic Hazard Atlas for Design Earthquakes in the Philippines marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance disaster risk mitigation across the nation, making us at par or at the same level as other advanced countries,” Solidum added.
As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and in any quest to make a nation’s buildings and facilities safer and more durable, a seismic hazard atlas should be a very useful tool for developers, planners, and builders to depend on as we move forward. Hopefully, the work that DOST and PHIVOLCS put into the atlas will not go to waste, and it will bear fruit in the form of stronger and safer buildings, instead of gathering dust.*
