A strong earthquake has hit China recently. It has been atleast 2 weeks ago since it happened however the death toll is still rising. New threaths has emerged as a result of the earthquake. The earthquake has created a lake effect which threatens the town of being flooded and washed away. Meanwhile, bodies are decomposing and could be washed away which has a potential to spread infectious disease to neighboring towns. The government is working fast as they could to save lives but still people are continuously dying everyday.
A prepared family has a good chance of surviving such disasters. However, survival depends on preparation and getting prepared is done prior to the event, not after the fact. Disasters like this is survivable. Preparation can make life a little easier and recovery a lot better. If you have questions how to prepare and survive disasters, leave a comment or e mail me at srps.ph@gmail.com
About Me
- Strategic Research & Practical Solutions (SRPS)
- (SRPS) is a full range consulting company specializing in risk evaluation, security assessment and training, logistics, disaster preparedness, equipment selection and procurement. It provides its clients with the expertise and insight to manage in an environment governed by political and economic instability, kidnapping, threats of terrorism, lack of internal security, natural calamities and disasters.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
The Government Is Aware But Nothing Is Being Done
Big One’ Is Possible But Metro Is Unprepared. First of two parts
If a major earthquake were to hit Metro Manila today, the devastation would be so big even disaster response authorities cannot simply cope with it. And it even looks like disaster preparedness occupies a low priority among officials down to the municipal level.
Recent reports gathered by Bulatlat show that up to 35,000 residents of Metro Manila would die and up to three million others would need to be evacuated. In addition, some 175,000 buildings would be damaged. The pressure of collapsed buildings and the inability to rescue those who would be trapped inside would cause most of the deaths.
The study projected the “big earthquake” to be “unlike any tragedy seen or imagined in Metro Manila.”
Asked for comment, however, a scientist-environmentalist theorized that such studies could be pressing the panic button now just to allow certain insurance companies to profit from a sudden surge of building insurance orders and the like.
The Fault, other studies showed, caused at least two major earthquakes within the last 1,400 years. No earthquake is known to have taken place along the West Valley Fault after the 16th century. But based on the estimated return period of less than 500 years, the Fault is due to exhibit dangers this century – or even within the next few years, if the estimates of an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) are valid.
Dr. Norman Tungol of Phivolcs’ Geology, Geophysics, Research and Development Division (GGRDD) estimated the Fault’s movement of recurrence at 200-400 years and based on this, he told Bulatlat, it is due for another movement.
Tungol said however that since studies have a big margin of error, this projection “could be within the next few years, (or) few tens of years.” He also said that even if there is no need for the people to panic because there is no timetable yet, “dapat mag-prepare because it’s inevitable.”
He confirmed that an earthquake with intensity 8 or 9 could be expected in the Valley Fault with a possible magnitude of 7.2 because of the lengthy fault.
Another Phivolcs scientist, Dr. Elena Bautista, noted however that the MMEIRS study found no pattern for the frequency of earthquakes occurring in the West Valley Fault.
A noted engineer, Dr. Arthur Saldivar-Sali, saw MMEIRS’ assertion that “active phases of the Valley Faults are approaching” as vague. He noted that the study, which he admits he has never seen, was apparently based on “deterministic analysis” which focuses on the characteristics of the movement of a fault and can be a prejudgment based on studies done or merely on gut feel that has no scientific basis at all.
Saldivar-Sali is a member of the Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines (Cecophil), a group of corporations and companies doing civil engineering designs and foundations.
The higher the percentage of the probability of an earthquake, the dangerous it would be, Saldivar-Sali said.
Punongbayan also cited the danger of building anything five kms near the fault. The director’s warning caused alarm among the business community and Marikina local officials asked that the fault be renamed “West Valley Fault” instead.
In layman’s terms, a magnitude of 7.2 can be compared to a bomb explosion, Saldivar-Sali said. In exponential form of 10, a magnitude of 1 is equivalent to one ton (1 x 100), magnitude 2 to 10 tons (2 x 101), 3 to 300 tons (3 x 102), and so on. A 7.2 magnitude if multiplied to 106 is equivalent to 7.2 million tons of bomb explosion.
MMEIRS actually aimed to design a master plan for earthquake impact reduction in Metro Manila leading to the holding of training seminars on earthquake preparedness. Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA-Philippines), the study was supported by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), Phivolcs and JICA contractors Pacific Consultants International, Oyo Corporation, and Pasco Corporation.
Scientists from Phivolcs, the University of the Philippines as well as from Japan participated in the study. Due for completion last March, the report is being finalized in Japan, according to Cora Macasieb, Special Operations Officer II and acting division chief of the Directorate for Special Operations of the Metropolitan Manila Disaster Coordinating Council (MMDCC).
Separate studies on earthquake are also being done in cooperation with China, Japan and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Among others, three areas were tested under the MMEIRS study: Mataas na Lupa in Malate, Manila; Ugong, Pasig; and Cupang, Marikina. Studied were Metro Manila’s three fault lines, namely, the West Valley Fault, the Manila Trench and Manila Bay.
Analyzed were the areas’ earthquake history, length of the fault and vulnerability to earthquake. Damage scenarios and estimates of costs of destruction were also done.
The number of buildings expected to be destroyed by the Manila Trench earthquake would reach about 5,000 while 16,000 for the Manila Bay fault. The West Valley Fault earthquake will cause the collapse of buildings in northeastern Quezon City, western Marikina, eastern Pasig, Muntinlupa-Laguna Bay and Mandaluyong-Makati. Evacuation would be difficult in the metropolis’ fringes particularly in the north, Taguig and Las Piñas, the MMEIRS study also found.
Residential buildings around the Malacañang in Manila and the House of Representatives in Quezon City would be severely damaged. Other infrastructures such as bridges and power posts will also be destroyed.
The danger of spreading fire to the Malacañang presidential office is not ruled. Liquefaction around the House area might take place. Even the MMDA building would be severely damaged, the study adds.
Collapses would lead to electricity short circuit, petroleum and LPG leakages from storage tanks, among others, that would cause fire. Areas highly vulnerable to fire would be Valenzuela, Caloocan, and south of Quezon City west intersection.
Damages to the Angat reservoir and water purification plant would likely happen, causing a long-term stoppage in water supply. Public transportation facilities such as airport runways would be closed, leaving only helicopters available for operations. Ports in the North and South harbors would be damaged and tilted by liquefaction, making these inaccessible for loading and unloading. Damages would likely be expected on roads and bridges.
Including victims of fires and liquefaction caused by the earthquake, the study estimates the number of refugees or evacuees at three million. The figure would include 1.3 million persons who would be uprooted from their homes if the aftershock would last about seven days.
After liquefaction, there would be a possible regional separation. The western part of Metro Manila would be isolated from other parts of the metropolis. The same thing would happen to the northern and southern parts due to building collapse especially in the area intersecting Makati and Mandaluyong. Meanwhile, all road networks running east-west that are on the fault would be broken.
If a major earthquake were to hit Metro Manila today, the devastation would be so big even disaster response authorities cannot simply cope with it. And it even looks like disaster preparedness occupies a low priority among officials down to the municipal level.
Recent reports gathered by Bulatlat show that up to 35,000 residents of Metro Manila would die and up to three million others would need to be evacuated. In addition, some 175,000 buildings would be damaged. The pressure of collapsed buildings and the inability to rescue those who would be trapped inside would cause most of the deaths.
Distribution of active faults and trenches in the Philippines
With its current population of 10 million, Metropolitan Manila, which is composed of 13 cities and four municipalities, is densely populated with several clusters and districts having high-rise buildings close to each other. Investigations done by various disaster units and fire departments a few years ago found many buildings did not comply with construction standards and that these are prone not only to fires but also to damage by earthquakes of any scale.
One of the reports gathered by Bulatlat, the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), cites “many research studies (indicating) that active phases of the (West) Valley Faults (formerly the Marikina Valley Faults) are approaching and that the estimated magnitude will be around 7 or more.” But MMEIRS also raised the possible intensity from 7 to even 9, which could be “devastating.”
One of the reports gathered by Bulatlat, the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), cites “many research studies (indicating) that active phases of the (West) Valley Faults (formerly the Marikina Valley Faults) are approaching and that the estimated magnitude will be around 7 or more.” But MMEIRS also raised the possible intensity from 7 to even 9, which could be “devastating.”
The study projected the “big earthquake” to be “unlike any tragedy seen or imagined in Metro Manila.”
Asked for comment, however, a scientist-environmentalist theorized that such studies could be pressing the panic button now just to allow certain insurance companies to profit from a sudden surge of building insurance orders and the like.
Largest impact
MMEIRS, a Japan-funded study that was begun in August 2002, identified the West Valley Fault, which lies just northeast of Manila, as “the fault expected to cause the largest impact in the metropolis.” The West Valley Fault traverses Marikina town, Pasig going to Muntinlupa up to the south.
The Fault, other studies showed, caused at least two major earthquakes within the last 1,400 years. No earthquake is known to have taken place along the West Valley Fault after the 16th century. But based on the estimated return period of less than 500 years, the Fault is due to exhibit dangers this century – or even within the next few years, if the estimates of an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) are valid.
Dr. Norman Tungol of Phivolcs’ Geology, Geophysics, Research and Development Division (GGRDD) estimated the Fault’s movement of recurrence at 200-400 years and based on this, he told Bulatlat, it is due for another movement.
Tungol said however that since studies have a big margin of error, this projection “could be within the next few years, (or) few tens of years.” He also said that even if there is no need for the people to panic because there is no timetable yet, “dapat mag-prepare because it’s inevitable.”
He confirmed that an earthquake with intensity 8 or 9 could be expected in the Valley Fault with a possible magnitude of 7.2 because of the lengthy fault.
Another Phivolcs scientist, Dr. Elena Bautista, noted however that the MMEIRS study found no pattern for the frequency of earthquakes occurring in the West Valley Fault.
A noted engineer, Dr. Arthur Saldivar-Sali, saw MMEIRS’ assertion that “active phases of the Valley Faults are approaching” as vague. He noted that the study, which he admits he has never seen, was apparently based on “deterministic analysis” which focuses on the characteristics of the movement of a fault and can be a prejudgment based on studies done or merely on gut feel that has no scientific basis at all.
Saldivar-Sali is a member of the Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines (Cecophil), a group of corporations and companies doing civil engineering designs and foundations.
Probability theory
Saldivar-Sali, a former UP professor who is also now with the Geo-Technica Consultancy Group, told Bulatlat that he tends to believe in the “probability analysis” of former Phivolcs Director Raymundo Punongbayan. Shortly after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, Punongbayan told of a higher probability of a major earthquake on the Valley Fault based on its rare movements. Since lesser energy is released in the friction of rocks, more energy is stored, like a rubber band, preparing for a big snap.
The higher the percentage of the probability of an earthquake, the dangerous it would be, Saldivar-Sali said.
Punongbayan also cited the danger of building anything five kms near the fault. The director’s warning caused alarm among the business community and Marikina local officials asked that the fault be renamed “West Valley Fault” instead.
In layman’s terms, a magnitude of 7.2 can be compared to a bomb explosion, Saldivar-Sali said. In exponential form of 10, a magnitude of 1 is equivalent to one ton (1 x 100), magnitude 2 to 10 tons (2 x 101), 3 to 300 tons (3 x 102), and so on. A 7.2 magnitude if multiplied to 106 is equivalent to 7.2 million tons of bomb explosion.
MMEIRS actually aimed to design a master plan for earthquake impact reduction in Metro Manila leading to the holding of training seminars on earthquake preparedness. Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA-Philippines), the study was supported by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), Phivolcs and JICA contractors Pacific Consultants International, Oyo Corporation, and Pasco Corporation.
Scientists from Phivolcs, the University of the Philippines as well as from Japan participated in the study. Due for completion last March, the report is being finalized in Japan, according to Cora Macasieb, Special Operations Officer II and acting division chief of the Directorate for Special Operations of the Metropolitan Manila Disaster Coordinating Council (MMDCC).
Separate studies on earthquake are also being done in cooperation with China, Japan and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Among others, three areas were tested under the MMEIRS study: Mataas na Lupa in Malate, Manila; Ugong, Pasig; and Cupang, Marikina. Studied were Metro Manila’s three fault lines, namely, the West Valley Fault, the Manila Trench and Manila Bay.
Analyzed were the areas’ earthquake history, length of the fault and vulnerability to earthquake. Damage scenarios and estimates of costs of destruction were also done.
Impact
The seismic intensity generated by the West Valley Fault earthquake and the damage felt in an area varied from place to place. The intensity may range from 7 in Quezon City, almost 8 and 9 alongside Marikina River and Manila Bay, and 8 at west of Metropolitan Manila and 7 at other areas. Based on the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS), intensity 7 is “destructive,” while 8 and 9 are “very destructive” and “devastating,” respectively.
Aside from the estimated death toll, the West Valley Fault earthquake would cause injuries to 118,200 persons, the study reveals. MMDC’s Macasieb said that the death toll would rise if the earthquake occurs during office hours where most of the people are working inside buildings including those who would come from the province to process various papers in the metropolis.
Aside from the estimated death toll, the West Valley Fault earthquake would cause injuries to 118,200 persons, the study reveals. MMDC’s Macasieb said that the death toll would rise if the earthquake occurs during office hours where most of the people are working inside buildings including those who would come from the province to process various papers in the metropolis.
The number of buildings expected to be destroyed by the Manila Trench earthquake would reach about 5,000 while 16,000 for the Manila Bay fault. The West Valley Fault earthquake will cause the collapse of buildings in northeastern Quezon City, western Marikina, eastern Pasig, Muntinlupa-Laguna Bay and Mandaluyong-Makati. Evacuation would be difficult in the metropolis’ fringes particularly in the north, Taguig and Las Piñas, the MMEIRS study also found.
Residential buildings around the Malacañang in Manila and the House of Representatives in Quezon City would be severely damaged. Other infrastructures such as bridges and power posts will also be destroyed.
The danger of spreading fire to the Malacañang presidential office is not ruled. Liquefaction around the House area might take place. Even the MMDA building would be severely damaged, the study adds.
Collapses would lead to electricity short circuit, petroleum and LPG leakages from storage tanks, among others, that would cause fire. Areas highly vulnerable to fire would be Valenzuela, Caloocan, and south of Quezon City west intersection.
Damages to the Angat reservoir and water purification plant would likely happen, causing a long-term stoppage in water supply. Public transportation facilities such as airport runways would be closed, leaving only helicopters available for operations. Ports in the North and South harbors would be damaged and tilted by liquefaction, making these inaccessible for loading and unloading. Damages would likely be expected on roads and bridges.
Including victims of fires and liquefaction caused by the earthquake, the study estimates the number of refugees or evacuees at three million. The figure would include 1.3 million persons who would be uprooted from their homes if the aftershock would last about seven days.
After liquefaction, there would be a possible regional separation. The western part of Metro Manila would be isolated from other parts of the metropolis. The same thing would happen to the northern and southern parts due to building collapse especially in the area intersecting Makati and Mandaluyong. Meanwhile, all road networks running east-west that are on the fault would be broken.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Where will you be when it happens?
One of the biggest questions asked is where will you be when the big one hits?
As we all know there is no way to predict when and where an earthquake will happen. There is no technology available that could help to prepare us for it. Unlike Typhoons, Blizzards and Heat waves that could be predicted a day or two ahead of time giving us warning to head for safety. Earthquake on the other hand will happen without warning.
So the question is how do we prepare for something that is unpredictable and strikes without warning? Strategic Research and Practical Solutions offers services that will provide you with information and training on how survive in this situations. SRPS will conduct a specific research that is customized to the needs and location of the client.
Preparing for survival is not always found in textbooks. Wilderness survival is a lot different from Urban Survival. In wilderness, its nature you are up against. In an Urban setting however, you are up against people, man made obstacles, the chaos, disease and serious injuries. Also, textbook survival guide books are mostly geared towards one person trying to survive. Unlike urban survival, you have your family, relatives and personal effects that needs to survive.
If you are interested in preparing but you have further questions pls email: srps.ph@gmail.com
As we all know there is no way to predict when and where an earthquake will happen. There is no technology available that could help to prepare us for it. Unlike Typhoons, Blizzards and Heat waves that could be predicted a day or two ahead of time giving us warning to head for safety. Earthquake on the other hand will happen without warning.
So the question is how do we prepare for something that is unpredictable and strikes without warning? Strategic Research and Practical Solutions offers services that will provide you with information and training on how survive in this situations. SRPS will conduct a specific research that is customized to the needs and location of the client.
Preparing for survival is not always found in textbooks. Wilderness survival is a lot different from Urban Survival. In wilderness, its nature you are up against. In an Urban setting however, you are up against people, man made obstacles, the chaos, disease and serious injuries. Also, textbook survival guide books are mostly geared towards one person trying to survive. Unlike urban survival, you have your family, relatives and personal effects that needs to survive.
If you are interested in preparing but you have further questions pls email: srps.ph@gmail.com
Friday, March 21, 2008
Why invest in preparedness and survival training
SRPS is a consulting firm that will analyze survivability and prepare you for the worst case scenario. Facts are gathered regarding geographical hazards in the area where you operate or live. Also, included in these fact finding is the availability and capability of local authority to react and respond to your needs in time of distress.
As we know, the Philippine Government has not spent any money or time to prepare for the worst case scenario. It is well known in the scientific community that the Philippines is a disaster prone country and warning have been issued by the experts. Unfortunately, no one has acted on the warning until now.
The following is a list of things to come, events that will happen in the future. These are not superstitious beliefs or psychic predictions. Each events will be followed by scientific explanations and facts based on how things are done in the Philippines.
1. Earthquakes.
Earthquakes happen in and around the Philippines on a daily basis. This facts can be searched or verified through Seismological Authorities in the Philippines or in the US. The reason for frequent earthquakes in the Philippines is because the Philippine Archipelago sits in five tectonic plates. As we know, tectonic plates constantly moves which eventually causes massive earthquakes like the one that occurred in Indonesia. The earthquake caused a Tsunami that killed people in a grand scale.
Fact: A massive earhtquake is imminent in or around the Philippines.
What to expect?
If the earthquake occurs out in the waters of the Philippines, the earthquake can trigger a tsunami that can devastate communities near the shores. Footage's of the tsunami in Thailand was recorded and can be viewed in the internet. Not much explanation is required in this particular subject.
If the earthquake occurs inland, certain events following the earthquake can be expected. A chain of events that will go from bad to worst.
Building collapse is the most immediate threat. This event can claim a significant amount of lives. As we know, the Philippines does not adhere to strict building codes. Due to rampant corruption, buildings can be built with substandard materials and unsafe designs.
After buildings collapse, an outbreak of fires can be expected. This is due to broken electrical wires, poles, generators, etc. Also, underground gas lines and commercial boilers can be ruptured due to a strong earthquake. All of this events will cause fires.
The normal response of the rescue authorities are to send fire fighters to rescue the victim's of the building collapse and fight the fires that are spreading. Roads will be impassable due to debris from collapsed building, roads can be severely damaged and rendered impassable. To make things worst, underground water main lines will be also severed. The firefighters would not be able to replenish their water supply to fight fires. The fire will go unchecked and it will spread rapidly burning everything in its path, including structures that survived the earthquake. people are gonna be trapped and burned alive. All this events will occur immediately after an earthquake. Unfortunately, the carnage does not stop here. it will continue to have a chain reaction.
After all the destruction and the lives lost, when everything is calm, one would think that the ordeal is over. This is when the long term effects of the catastrophe will take shape. If you survived the actual earthquake and fire, you will now have to pick up the pieces of your shattered life. You will begin to wonder if your family and friends survived. Are they injured and how bad? Also, now will be the time to think about what will happen next. where will you get water, food, medicine and where will you get treatment if you are injured. it will be really sad if you survived a building collapse and fires to only succumb to an infection from a minor wound or contract food poisoning from contaminated food or drinking water. Unfortunately more people die from the after effects of catastrophic event than the actual event itself.
SRPS survival and preparedness can provide analysis of imminent hazards in a clients home, office or area of operation. Training and organization management will be provided to keep the odds of surviving such catastrophe better than relying on Government authorities response. Medical fisrt aid training is a part of the service and an emergency contingency plan suited to the clients location is included in the service.
As we know, the Philippine Government has not spent any money or time to prepare for the worst case scenario. It is well known in the scientific community that the Philippines is a disaster prone country and warning have been issued by the experts. Unfortunately, no one has acted on the warning until now.
The following is a list of things to come, events that will happen in the future. These are not superstitious beliefs or psychic predictions. Each events will be followed by scientific explanations and facts based on how things are done in the Philippines.
1. Earthquakes.
Earthquakes happen in and around the Philippines on a daily basis. This facts can be searched or verified through Seismological Authorities in the Philippines or in the US. The reason for frequent earthquakes in the Philippines is because the Philippine Archipelago sits in five tectonic plates. As we know, tectonic plates constantly moves which eventually causes massive earthquakes like the one that occurred in Indonesia. The earthquake caused a Tsunami that killed people in a grand scale.
Fact: A massive earhtquake is imminent in or around the Philippines.
What to expect?
If the earthquake occurs out in the waters of the Philippines, the earthquake can trigger a tsunami that can devastate communities near the shores. Footage's of the tsunami in Thailand was recorded and can be viewed in the internet. Not much explanation is required in this particular subject.
If the earthquake occurs inland, certain events following the earthquake can be expected. A chain of events that will go from bad to worst.
Building collapse is the most immediate threat. This event can claim a significant amount of lives. As we know, the Philippines does not adhere to strict building codes. Due to rampant corruption, buildings can be built with substandard materials and unsafe designs.
After buildings collapse, an outbreak of fires can be expected. This is due to broken electrical wires, poles, generators, etc. Also, underground gas lines and commercial boilers can be ruptured due to a strong earthquake. All of this events will cause fires.
The normal response of the rescue authorities are to send fire fighters to rescue the victim's of the building collapse and fight the fires that are spreading. Roads will be impassable due to debris from collapsed building, roads can be severely damaged and rendered impassable. To make things worst, underground water main lines will be also severed. The firefighters would not be able to replenish their water supply to fight fires. The fire will go unchecked and it will spread rapidly burning everything in its path, including structures that survived the earthquake. people are gonna be trapped and burned alive. All this events will occur immediately after an earthquake. Unfortunately, the carnage does not stop here. it will continue to have a chain reaction.
After all the destruction and the lives lost, when everything is calm, one would think that the ordeal is over. This is when the long term effects of the catastrophe will take shape. If you survived the actual earthquake and fire, you will now have to pick up the pieces of your shattered life. You will begin to wonder if your family and friends survived. Are they injured and how bad? Also, now will be the time to think about what will happen next. where will you get water, food, medicine and where will you get treatment if you are injured. it will be really sad if you survived a building collapse and fires to only succumb to an infection from a minor wound or contract food poisoning from contaminated food or drinking water. Unfortunately more people die from the after effects of catastrophic event than the actual event itself.
SRPS survival and preparedness can provide analysis of imminent hazards in a clients home, office or area of operation. Training and organization management will be provided to keep the odds of surviving such catastrophe better than relying on Government authorities response. Medical fisrt aid training is a part of the service and an emergency contingency plan suited to the clients location is included in the service.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)