How PHIVOLCS Measure the Strength of Earthquakes

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is the government agency that deals with tectonic and volcanic activities in the Philippines. One of the major concerns of this government agency is the monitoring of earthquakes that affects the country.

The Philippines is located at the rim of the Pacific Ring of Fire and the country experiences mild earthquakes every day because of this. With the many earthquakes that rock the country every day, how does PHIVOLCS determine if the earthquake is destructive or not? The answer to that is the PEIS.

PEIS stands for PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale. It measures how the earthquake is felt in an area. The PEIS is felt on the relative effect of the earthquake to people, structures, objects and surroundings. The scale starts from Intensity I, which is the weakest, to Intensity X, which is the strongest.

Here is the scale as established by PHIVOLCS on PEIS:

Intensity I: Scarcely Perceptible.

Intensity II: Slightly Felt

Intensity III: Weak

Intensity IV: Moderately Strong

Intensity V: Strong

Intensity VI: Very Strong

Intensity VII: Destructive

Intensity VIII: Very Destructive

Intensity IX: Devastating

Intensity X: Completely Devastating

Those are the complete list for the PEIS. For description of each intensity scale of the PEIS, please visit the PHIVOLCS website.

Also read the PHIVOLCS list of fault line and maps, and the areas affected by the Marikina Fault. 

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Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about the hopia of Salazar Bakery.

ECOTRADE: Leading the Way for Green Technology in Asia

The world is now facing a grave situation that is caused by the abuse against the environment in the past century. We are now living in a planet were large swaths of forests were gone; the seas are poisoned by oil spill and trash; and the air is dark because of smoke and other pollutants. Fortunately, more and more people are waking up to this reality and are now working to prevent further damage to our environment. The result of this awakening is the rise of Green Technology, which is a technology that takes into account the preservation of the environment.

Korea is one of the nations that leads the world in promoting Green Technology. The Korea Environmental Technology and Industry Institute (KEITI) initiated the Premier Environmental B2B Marketplace or ECOTRADE. KEITI is the Korean institute that is tasked to promote green technology, not only in Korea, but also for the whole world.

The ECOTRADE is the best venue where buyers and sellers of environment-friendly products meet. Through the ECOTRADE, buyers will be exposed to the latest and the best environment-friendly products from Korea.

In the ECOTRADE, buyers will find environment-friendly products that are certified not only by KEITI but also by world-renowned and trusted certifying organizations like the ISO and EU. Aside from that, KEITI certifies seller's products with “V” and “Eco Trust/Pro” marks to show that the products are guaranteed by the institute. Buyers will also find it easy to buy ECOTRADE products because the process was simplified and sign-up is not required.

Sellers will also reap great benefits by joining ECOTRADE. The benefits include e-Catalogues; exposure to clients from all over the world; latest information on market trends on green industry and technology; and connection with ECPLAZA.net, which is among the biggest B2B trade marketplaces in the world.

So, what are you waiting for? Go and visit the ECOTRADE website for more information.

Also visit the following ECOTRADE links:

ECOTRADE Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ecotrade

ECOTRADE YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ecotrade2010

The ECOTRADE is a good way of promoting green technology. I do hope that my country also host a similar activity like the ECOTRADE.

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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Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about Salazar Bakery's hopia.