The Role of Geoscientists in Research on

Disaster Mitigation and Risk Reduction

Efforts of the Government

Raymond Patrick Maximo

Geologist / Volcanologist
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
Department of Science and Technology
HAZARDSCAPE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Earthquake Tsunami Volcanic eruption

Storm surge Flood Landslide

Typhoon
The Philippines is prone to many natural hazards due
to its geologic and geographic setting

Pacific Ring of Fire

Equator
Karagatang Pacific
 Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Focus on earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions
and related phenomena (ex. landslides)
• Monitoring and warning
• Hazards and risk
assessment
• Evaluation of earthquake
and volcano eruption
potential
• Public awareness,
community preparedness,
disaster risk reduction
Monitoring and Warning
 Volcano Monitoring Network
 6 volcano observatories
Techniques: seismic,
geodetic, water/gas
geochemistry, remote
sensing; visual/sensory
observations
Pinatubo
Isarog  4 volcanoes with seismic
TaalIIriga Mayon
monitoring
Bulusan

Kanlaon
Hibok-hibok

Matutum
Parker
 Integrated Volcano Monitoring
• Multi-parameter monitoring data received at local observatories also
received in near-real time in Quezon City via satellite; enables
remote monitoring via web technology
Satellite

Observation
Station Repeater
Observation w/o LOS Station
Station
w/ LOS

Main Office

Local Observatory
SEISMIC MONITORING NETWORK
• 100-station network (seismographs)
- 32 manned seismic stations, 62 unmanned seismic
stations with satellite telemetry communication, 6
volcano-seismic station with satellite telemetry

Data Receiving Center at Main Office

Unmanned
stations with
satellite
communication

Digital Seismic Record

 Sea Level Monitoring Network
Network Existing
Real-time *19 (PHIVOLCS thru
tide gauges JICA)
5 (PTWC, RIMES,
GLOSS)
Community 10
tsunami (PHIVOLCS)
detection
and warning
system

PHIVOLCS thru JICA

PHIVOLCS Community
Tsunami Detection
24/7 Seismic and Volcano Monitoring- Reduced Workforce
Alternative Work Arrangements
Taal Eruption 2020

13 Jan. 2020
(02:49 AM)

13 Jan. 2020
(05:00 AM)

13 Jan. 2020 (12:00 PM)

Regular Maintenance of
Monitoring Network
 Hazards and Risk
Assessment

“Knowing which hazards will affect an area

and what will be the impact.”
FIELD DATA: MAPPING
Fieldwork in Volcanic Areas
(PHIVOLCS-DOST)
Physical Volcanology
Lake Geochemistry Studies
 Thermal
Springs
Surveys
Gran Titration method to extract In-situ
bicarbonate concentrations from measurement of
thermals springs pCO2

In-situ measurement of pH, Hot water samples are cooled

conductivity and temperature of first before taking the pH.
thermal springs
Drone Surveys
Looking for Active Faults
(PHIVOLCS-DOST)

Perez and Tsutsumi, 2017

 Surface Rupture
Surface rupture that passes
under the Anao-aon Bridge

Horizontal displacement: 15 cm
Vertical displacement: 42 cm.
Downthrown side: west
Brgy. Poblacion, San Francisco
Trench preparation

 2014 J.Perez  2014 J.Perez

 2014 J.Perez  2014 J.Perez

Agusan del Norte

Maragusan, Compostela Valley N-wall

 2014 J.Perez

Trench study and analysis (identification of

paleoearthquakes)
 Agusan del Norte

Stratigraphic sketch
and logging

Perez and Tsutsumi, 2017

Paleoseismic studies:
West Valley Fault
 Geohazards Maps
(PHIVOLCS-DOST)

Taal Volcano Base Surge

Earthquake hazard mapping: active faulting,

ground shaking, liquefaction, landslide and
Mayon Volcano Lahar tsunami
 Hazard and risk information through web and
mobile application – PHIVOLCS FaultFinder
The PHIVOLCS FaultFinder, is a web-based and mobile phone (android)
application to locate the nearest active fault from a specified location or the
named barangay. This application facilitates easy access to quality data for
disaster preparedness, land use, risk assessment and in real-estate.

URL: http://faultfinder.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
 Hazard and risk information through web
application – PHIVOLCS Geohazard Portal
The PHIVOLCS Geo-Portal, a web-GIS based portal, enables
the public to view and collate hazards and risk maps.

URL: https://gisweb.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/hazardmap
DOST-PHIVOLCS Hazard and Risk Assessment Software
Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS)

Earthquake
Impact
Assessment
Module

Hazard Assessment Module Flood Loss

Assessment
Tool

Severe Wind
Impact
Modelling
Exposure Data Module Module
Peers and Colleagues:
Conferences/ Scientific Meetings
Formal
Technical
Results of research
Disaster Preparedness and
Risk Reduction
 Quick Response Team

Field investigation
Briefing the
local officials
 FIELD DATA:
HAZARDS ASSESSMENT

FIELD DATA:
IMPACTS ASSESSMENT
Education, Awareness, Preparedness Campaigns
Educational materials, seminars, drills, press conferences, media programs

f
Preparing communities: Barangay Pula Risk and Resource
mapping

HOW TO READ MAPS. From 3-d to flat.

Residents participate in purok/sitio
mapping. Realization of difficulty of
moving around

Putting together information on a map for an

updated barangay spot map
 Residents,
affected population
-to allay fears after an
event
 Various activities 2017-2019
Risk communication at the local level
• Sharing
information
• Knowing and
understanding
the hazards
• Hazard maps
• Disaster
history
• Disaster
experience
• Alert Levels
• Using the
information:
Plans
Taal Volcano, 2008 • Knowledge to
practice: Drills Drills in pilot sites
Educational materials and publication of research work
 The Faultfinders

MAGAZINE
FEATURE
MAGAZINE
FEATURE
Thank you for listening!