PHIVOLCS Liquefaction Susceptibility Map

In the previous post, I talked about the dangers of landslides that usually occur during earthquakes. Because of the dangers of landslides, PHIVOLCS created Earthquake-induced Landslide Susceptibility maps to help the public know which laces in the Philippines are under the risk of landslide. Another effect that may result from earthquake is liquefaction.

Liquefaction is a phenomenon where the soil that has mixture of liquid, which the usual example is underground water, act like a liquid because of intense shaking caused by earthquakes. Liquefaction usually occurs in places that have During an earthquake, the soil became separated because of shaking and water will come in to fill the gaps between soil particles. Because of this, soil will act like a fluid and will cause the structures on it to sink. Liquefaction usually occurs on areas where the ground is saturated with groundwater or salt water coming from the sea.

The effect of liquefaction is grave, that's why PHIVOLCS created the Liquefaction Susceptibility Map. However, unlike the other maps from PHIVOLCS, Liquefaction Susceptibility Map has only two maps. One is a general map that covers the whole Philippines. The other Liquefaction Susceptibility Map covers Metro Manila and vicinity.
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Metro Manila Liquefaction Susceptibility Map.

According to PHIVOLCS map, the areas in Metro Manila that are high risk from liquefaction are the City of Manila and the areas in Pasig City located beside Laguna Lake. Areas that have moderate risk from liquefaction are areas beside the Manila Bay, Laguna Lake and Marikina River. Areas on “higher” elevation, like Quezon City, have low risk of experiencing liquefaction.

Soil liquefaction is an important factor to consider when buying real estate properties. You must ensure that the land that you are buying is safe from this phenomenon. If you are already owning a lot located on an area that is at risk from liquefaction, then you must make sure that the house or structure that you are building on it are “liquefaction-proof.”

For more information, see the liquefaction susceptibility maps on PHIVOLCS website.

Also read PHIVOLCS List of Fault Lines and Maps.

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PHIVOLCS Landslide Susceptibility Maps

The Philippines is still waiting for the so-called “big one,” which is a strong earthquake that will be generated by the long-overdue Marikina Fault. PHIVOLCS is doing the necessary preparations for earthquakes. The agency also reminds the public to be prepared.

Aside from the earthquake, PHIVOLCS is also reminding the people about the possibility of landslides during and after an earthquake occurred. As a part of preparation schemes, PHIVOLCS prepared the “Earthquake-triggered Landslide Susceptibility Map.” This map shows how susceptible an area in the Philippines are from landslides.

Based on the overview map that is available on the PHIVOLCS website, the areas that are high risk for earthquake-triggered landslide are mountainous areas like the Cordilleras.

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View the “Earthquake-triggered Landslide Susceptibility Map” on PHIVOLCS website.

The map is shaded in different colors and every color has different meanings. The gray shade means that the area is not susceptible to earthquake-triggered landslide. Areas in green shade means that at risk to landslide at 0.3 MMI-IX and PEIS-VIII. Areas in orange shade are at risk from landslide at 0.15 MMI-VIII and PEIS-VIII. Areas in magenta are at risk from landslide at 0.07 MMI-VII and PEIS-VII. Lastly, areas in red shade are at risk from landslide at 0.04 MMI-VI and PEIS-VI.

MMI stands for Modified Mercali while PEIS stands for PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale.

Aside from the overview map, PHIVOLCS also has Regional Maps of the “Earthquake-triggered Landslides Susceptibility Map” for regional and better view of the landslide prone areas.

The “Earthquake-triggered Landslide Susceptibility Map” and regional maps can be downloaded on PHIVOLCS website.

Read related posts about PHIVOLCS Tips on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

Other related posts are:

PHIVOLCS Map of Tsunami Prone Areas.

PHIVOLCS List of Fault Lines and Maps.

PHIVOLCS Maps of areas affected by Marikina Fault.

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Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about my review of Mang Inasal restaurant.

Avast Anti-Virus Software

The laptop that I have been using right now suffered a grave infection of computer virus. The condition of my laptop gave me no choice but to reformat the hard drive and re-install the operating system. Reformatting my laptop is a hassle because I also had to to re-install other software that I am using for my work. Also, some of the files in my laptop can't be recovered and were deleted together with the virus.

The reason why my laptop contracted deadly computer virus is that it doesn't have any anti-virus software. Having an anti-virus software is vital because it protects the laptop and computer from the attacks of virus, Trojan horse, malwares and other malicious programs. However, I can't afford the expensive anti-virus software so I had to make-do with the free versions of anti-virus software. I both use Avira Anti-Virus and AVG on my office computer. They work in tandem in my office computer so that if a virus can't be detected by Avira then it can be detected by AVG, and vice versa.

I downloaded Avira and AVG from the Internet for my laptop. Unfortunately, errors keep on cropping up whenever I install both anti-virus software. My operating system (OS) is Windows XP, which is the same OS as in my office computer. I can't find the reason why Avira and AVG keep on having installation errors. I also tried Panda Cloud Anti-Virus but it also have installation errors.

I discovered Avast while I search the Internet for solutions on the installation errors. A comment in a forum said that Avast is better than Avira because it doesn't have installation issues. The comment is correct and now my laptop is enjoying the benefits of Avast Anti-Virus.
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The interface of Avast Anti-Virus is almost similar to Avira when it comes to being user friendly. Features that are not present on Avira is the AutoSandbox feature. This feature of Avast forces suspicious files and programs to run inside the anti-virus software, thus protecting the OS and files from malicious files and programs. I encountered the AutoSandbox when I used the TDK Flash Lock software.

Just like AVG, Avast also rates and scan websites that I visited while surfing the Internet. It automatically blocks suspicious websites and pages. I encountered this feature when I visited a page on Mang Inasal's website. I don't know if I will get annoyed by this feature of Avast in the future, but for now I am thankful that this feature protects my laptop from suspicious websites.
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Malicious URL blocked by Avast.

What I like the most with Avast is that it automatically updates its virus definition. In Avira, I had to manually update the software, which I usually forgot to do. Avast, on the other hand, updates the software whenever the computer connects to the Internet.
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Avast updated automatically while I watch YouTube videos.

Of the four Anti-Virus software that I used, I place Avast in the first place, followed by Avira, AVG and Norton.

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Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read my review of Mang Inasal restaurant.