Areas Affected by Big Earthquake of Marikina Fault Line

The earthquake that happened in Bohol last month is another eye-opener to Metro Manila citizens. We are as vulnerable as the Boholanos are. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), a major fault line passes through Metro Manila. This fault line is the West Valley Fault or more popularly known as Marikina Fault Line.

Marikina Fault Line passes through the eastern part of Metro Manila. It passes through Marikina City, Quezon City, Pasig City, Taguig City, Muntilupa City and some towns in the Provinces of Rizal and Laguna. For maps affected by the Marikina Fault Line, please read my post PHIVOLCS Map of Marikina Fault Line Affected Areas.

PHIVOLCS, with the funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), conducted a study on earthquake impact reduction for Metro Manila. The study contains information about the earthquake damage scenario for Metro Manila, damage estimation due to earthquake, and a master plan and action plans for safer Metro Manila.

Those who are interested in this research study should visit the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) page in PHIVOLCS website.

An interesting information that I saw in the MMEIRS is the map showing the areas that are most vulnerable if Marikina Fault Line will cause a very strong earthquake.

The areas encircled on the map corresponds to the areas listed in the study that is highly vulnerable to earthquakes caused by Marikina Fault Line. Here is the list as shown on the study made by PHIVOLCS.

The list shows that Navotas Bay Area, Western Marikina City Area, Manila North Port Area, Eastern Pasig City Area, South Eastern Manila City Area, Muntinlupa Laguna Bay Area, Central Manila Bay Area, Mandaluyong - Makati City Border Area, and North Eastern Quezon City Area are the most vulnerable areas.

The PHIVOLCS study also made a list of the type of vulnerabilities that the 9 high vulnerable areas may experience if Marikina Fault Line causes a big earthquake. Here is the list:

The MMEIRS is very valuable since it gives us information of the areas that will be severely affected by a big earthquake. All residents of Metro Manila, especially those who are living in the 9 highly vulnerable areas, should keep in mind these information. Let us all prepare and be ready because it is just a matter of time before Marikina Fault Line will cause a big earthquake.

For more earthquake preparedness tips please read PHIVOLCS Tips on Being Prepared for Earthquakes and Tsunami.

Also read my posts regarding earthquakes and tsunamis:

PHIVOLCS Maps of Marikina Fault Line Affected Areas

PHIVOLCS List of Fault Lines and Maps

PHIVOLCS Map of Tsunami Prone Areas

You may also read all of my posts related to earthquakes and tsunamis.

PHIVOLCS Maps of Marikina Fault Line Affected Areas

PHIVOLCS is calling all owners of buildings and structures located on or near the Marikina Fault, which is now officially named as West Valley Fault, to be prepared as an earthquake may strike along Marikina Fault at any time. According to PHIVOLCS, the latest activity of Marikina Fault occurred at around 200 years ago and the accumulated stress will cause a major tectonic activity.

Yesterday, March 21, there is an earthquake that occurred off Lubang Island. It seems like that there is a rise of occurrence of felt earthquakes around the Philippines. Thus, it is no wonder that PHIVOLCS is anticipating movement of the Marikina Fault.

Due to this, many people are afraid of a major earthquake along Marikina Fault. Thankfully, PHIVOLCS drew maps of Marikina Fault, which shows where the fault lines are. Based on a PHIVOLCS document (Pdf file), Marikina Fault passes through Laguna, Muntinlupa City, Quezon City, Montalban (Rodriguez) Marikina City, San Mateo, Pasig City and Taguig City. Here is the diagram as shown on the document issued by PHIVOLCS:
.

Here is a rough map showing the general location of Marikina Fault Line in Metro Manila:

.

Rough map showing the areas affected by Marikina Fault.

Visit PHIVOLCS website to see the maps of areas affected by Marikina Fault. PHIVOLCS has 15 large scale maps, which is helpful in seeing if your home is near the Marikina Fault or not.

Map is obtained from the document, The Marikina Valley Fault System: Active Faulting in Eastern Metro Manila (Pdf file), as posted on PHIVOLCS website.

Also read related post about the PHIVOLCS Tips on what to do before, during and after an earthquake, PHIVOLCS list of fault lines and PHIVOLCS Map of Tsunami Prone Areas.

---

Do you have questions about the Marikina Fault Line? You have comments about the earthquakes and how prepared our government for such calamities? Tell me about it by leaving a comment.