MANILA, Philippines – Want to know potential hazards within your area?

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Tuesday (July 16) launched a web application dubbed as ‘Hazard Hunter’ which provides the public with information on the possible dangers that may happen in a specific area like earthquake, flood or even volcanic eruption.

‘Hazard Hunter’ is a web-based application that can be accessed on desktop, laptop or in smart phones.

To access, just load https://hazardhunter.georisk.gov.ph/ on your web browser.

A welcome message will lead you to the Hazard Hunter official page.

You will be asked to proceed until you see the full map of the Philippines.

Click on the menu bar then several options on the type of hazards that may be present in your area will appear – seismic for earthquakes, volcanic for volcanoes and hydro-meteorological for flood and storm-related hazards.

Click on the type of hazard then select an area by pointing the cursor to the place of inquiry on the map.

Double click on the area of choice.

The system will immediately load the results that will flash on the right side of the screen.

For instance, Baseco compound in Manila has a population of about 60,000 people.

Based on the app’s reading, Baseco is about 12 kilometers away from the West Valley Fault.

Residents in Baseco may feel ground shaking of up to intensity 8 once the West Valley Fault moves in an event called the Big One.

The area is prone to liquefaction and could suffer from up to four-meter-high tsunami as it is near Manila Bay.

Based on the app, Baseco is less likely to be affected if ever the nearest active volcano, Mount Taal in Batangas, erupts.

Taal Lake is about 58 kilometers away from Baseco.

Baseco is a flood-prone area and floodwater can go as high as two meters and can take up to three days to subside.

During the onset of a severe tropical cyclone, the area could suffer from storm surge as high as 4 meters.

But there is no possibility of a landslide in the area.

The app also has detailed recommendations or suggestions for a plan of action during a specific hazard.

Science and Technology Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS OIC Renato Solidum believes ‘Hazard Hunter’ will enable the public to prepare and plan ahead of a natural disaster.

Government agencies will also be guided for appropriate actions to be taken to minimize or prevent the loss of lives and damage to properties.

“Hindi naman masama na may hazards diyan. What is important is that the hazard is recognized so that the developer can develop approaches to lessen the impact, to mitigate the possible impact,” Solidum noted.

Solidum said even his own house sits on a location that is hazard-prone but recognizing the dangers enabled him to plan for his and his family’s protection.

“Tinaasan ko yung bahay. Ginawa kong three floors para hindi ako mamatay sa baha (What I did was I elevated my house. I made it into three floors to keep me safe from the flood),” he said.

“Inayos ko yung foundation ng building para sa shaking ng liquefaction. So mga ganung klaseng real life application magagamit (ang Hazard Hunter) (I aligned the foundation of the building in case of shaking during liquefaction. During those real-life applications, [Hazard Hunter] can be useful),” he added.

Before the end of the year, PHIVOLCS plans to launch the mobile version of the website. – with details from Rey Pelayo

SORSOGON, Philippines— The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday (May 5) raised Alert Level 1 over Mount Bulusan due to increased seismic activity.

From May 4 to 5, Phivolcs has recorded a total of 16 volcanic earthquakes, according to the agency’s Bulusan Volcano Bulletin on Sunday.

It also noted the active volcano’s tilt data from April 29 to May 5 which indicated a slight inflation in the upper slopes.

The agency also observed increase in water temperature of nearby hot springs.

Phivolcs said that raising Alert Level 1 or abnormal status “indicates that hydrothermal processes may be underway beneath the volcano that may lead to steam-driven eruption.”

With increase volcanic activity, the agency reminds residents and local government units (LGU) near the volcano to avoid entry into the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano.

The agency also urges vigilance in the Extended Danger Zone or areas two kilometers beyond the PDZ, “due to the possibilities of sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions (steam but no lava), rockfall and landslide.”

Likewise, aircraft pilots are advised to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit because ash from an eruption is hazardous. – Marje Pelayo

The Department of Energy (DOE) has activated the Task Force Energy Resiliency (TFER) in light of Monday afternoon’s 6.1 magnitude earthquake.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has initially reported the earthquake at magnitude 5.7, but later on, revised the report and raised the magnitude to 6.1.

The DOE also announced that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) initial report indicated that the earthquake caused power interruptions in Pangasinan, Pampanga, La Union, and Bataan.

The NGCP also reported that the provinces of Quezon, Batangas, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon were also affected but have already been restored.

The DOE advised that in the event that the affected facilities and capacities will be unable to come online, the occurrence of power outages is probable.

The energy department assured that situation updates on the status of energy facilities will be released as soon as the information becomes available. – Maris Federez