MAJOR EARTHQUAKE ZONES IN THE PHILIPPINES

208.4.4 Site Seismic Hazard Characteristics

Seismic hazard characteristics for the site shall be established based on the seismic zone and proximity
of the site to active seismic sources, site soil profile characteristics and the structure’s importance
factor.

208.4.4.1 Seismic Zone

The Philippines archipelago is divided into two seismic zone only. Zone 2 covers the provinces of
Palawan (except Busuanga), Sulu and Tawi- Tawi while the rest of the country is under Zone 4 as shown
in the Figure 208-1. Each structure shall be assigned a seismic zone factor Z, in accordance with Table
208 – 3.

Table 208 – 3 Seismic Zone Factor Z

Zone 2 4

Z 0.20 0.40

208.4.4.2 Seismic Source Types

Table 208 – 4 defines the type of seismic sources. The location and type of seismic sources to be used
for design shall be established based on approved geological data; see Figure 208 – 2A. Type A source
shall be determined from Figure 208 – 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E or the most recent mapping of active faults by the
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Table 208 – 4 - Seismic Source Types

Seismic Source Definition

Seismic Source Type Seismic Source Description Maximum Moment Magnitude,
M

Faults that are capable of

producing large magnitude
A 7.0 ≤ M ≤ 8.4
events and that have a high rate
of seismic activity.

All faults other than Type A and

B 6.4 ≤ M ≤ 7.0
C

Faults that are not capable of

producing large magnitude
C earthquakes and that have a M < 6.5
relatively low rate of seismic
activity.
ZONE 2: areas that experience very little ground acceleration

ZONE 4: areas near active fault lines that are most prone to earthquakes or seismic activity

Zone 4 is the most intense. Cabinets with a Zone 4 seismic rating, for example, are designed to protect
active equipment against damage during major earthquakes or other seismic activity. May people think
that Zone 4 must only include West Coat, but the map above shows the potential for major seismic
events in certain Canadian areas- and even Minnesota.

208.4.4.3 Seismic Zone 4 Near-Source Factor

In Seismic Zone 4, each site shall be assigned near-source factors in accordance with Tables 208-5 and
208-6 based on the Seismic Source Type as set forth in Section 208.4.4.2

For high rise structures and essential facilities within 2.0 km of a major fault, a site specific elastic design
response spectrum is recommended to be obtained for the specific area.

Table 208-5 Near-Source Factor 𝑵𝒂 𝟏

Seismic Closest Distance To

Source Known Seismic 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝟐

Type ≤ 2 km ≤ 5 km ≥ 10 km

A 1.5 1.2 1.0

B 1.3 1.0 1.0

C 1.0 1.0 1.0

 Table 208-6 Near-Source Factor 𝑵𝒗 𝟏

Seismic Closest Distance To

Source Known Seismic 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝟐

Type ≤ 2 km 5 km 10 km ≥ 15 km

A 2 1.6 1.2 1.0

B 1.6 1.2 1.0 1.0

C 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

Notes for Table 208-5 and 208-6

1. The Near Source Factor may be based on the linear interpolation of values for distances other
than those shown in the table.
2. The closest distance to seismic source shall be taken as the minimum distance between the site
and the area described by the vertical projection of the source on the surface (i.e., surface
projection of fault plane). The surface projection need not include portions of the source at
depths of 10 km or greater. The largest value of the Near-Source Factor considering all sources
shall be used for design.

208.5.1.5.1.1.2 Detailing requirements in the Seismic Zone 4

In Seismic Zone 4, elements supporting discontinuous systems shall meet the following detailing or
member limitations:

1. Reinforced concrete or reinforced masonry elements designed primarily as axial-load members

shall comply with Section 421.4.4.5.
2. Reinforced concrete elements designed primarily as flexural members and supporting other
than light-frame wood shear wall system or light-frame steel and wood structural panel shear
wall systems shall comply with Sections 421.3.2 and 421.3.3. Strength computations for portions
of slabs designed as supporting elements shall include only those portions of the slab that
comply with the requirements of these sections.
3. Masonry elements designed primarily as axial-load carrying members shall comply with Sections
706.1.12.4, Item 1, and 708.2.6.2.6.
4. Masonry elements designed primarily flexural members shall comply with Section 708.2.6.2.5.
5. Steel elements designed primarily as axial-load members shall comply with Sections 515.4.2 and
515.4.3.
6. Steel elements designed primarily as flexural members or trusses shall have bracing for both top
and bottom beam flanges or chords at the location of the support of the discontinuous system
and shall comply with the requirements of Section 515.6.1.3.
7. Wood elements designed primarily as flexural members shall be provided with lateral bracing or
solid blocking at each of the element and at the connection location(s) of the discontinuous
system.
About PHIVOLCS

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is a service institute of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that is principally mandated to mitigate disasters that
may arise from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami and other related geotectonic phenomena.

Vision

A leading global science and technology institution in helping develop communities safe from and
resilient to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and other related hazards.

Mission

We provide timely and quality information and services for warning, disaster preparedness and
mitigation.

This we do through the development and application of technologies for the monitoring and accurate
prediction of, and determination of areas prone to, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and other
related hazards, and capacity enhancement for comprehensive disaster risk reduction.

Mandates

 Predict the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and

earthquakes and their related geotectonic
phenomena
 Determine how eruptions and earthquakes shall
occur and also areas likely to be affected
 Generate sufficient data for forecasting volcanic
eruptions and earthquakes
 Mitigate hazards of volcanic activities through
appropriate detection, forecast and warning
system
 Formulate appropriate disaster preparedness plans

PHIVOLCS History

 The violent eruption and the resulting casualties and damages from Hibok-
hibok Volcano in 1951 made the nation realize the necessity to seriously
monitor and conduct studies on active volcanoes in the country. As there was
no government agency at that time that is in-charge of this task, the
Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL) was created in June 20, 1952 through
Republic Act No. 766, primarily to “safeguard life and property against volcanic
eruptions and its dangers.” COMVOL was initially placed under the Executive
Board of the National Research Council and later under the National Science
Development Board (NSDB).

 On 17 March, 1982, Executive Order 784 reorganized the NSDB and its
agencies into the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA).
COMVOL was restructured and renamed Philippine Institute of Volcanology
(PHIVOLC).

 On September 17, 1984, seismology or the science that deals with

earthquakes, was transferred to the Institute from Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). PHIVOLC
was renamed Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
  On January 30, 1987, by virtue of Executive Order No. 128, the NSTA was structurally and
functionally transformed into the Department of Science and Technology. PHIVOLCS was
granted its present mandates.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART PHIVOLCS

Is one of the Science and Technology Service Institutes of the Department of Science and technology: It
has a Director as Head of agency: The Institute is composed of four technical divisions: (1) Volcano
Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD), (2) Seismological Observation and Earthquake
Prediction Division (SOEPD), (3) Geology and Geophysics Research and Development Division (GGRDD)
and (4) Geologic Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Division (GDAPD), and a Finance And
Administrative Division (FAD)
Strategic Plan

 National Volcano Monitoring And Warning

 National Earthquake Monitoring Information
 National Tsunami Monitoring And Early Warning
 Earthquake Hazards Assessment And Research And Development
 Volcano Hazards Assessment And Research And Development
 Landslide Monitoring, Early Warning And Risk Assessment
 Volcano, Earthquake And Tsunami Disaster Preparedness And Risk Reduction
 Leadership Enhancement And Development (LEAD)
 Strategic Human Resource Management And Development (SHRMD)
 Strategic Performance Assessment And Development For Excellence (SPADE)
 Strategic ICT Management And Development (StrICT)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈfivolks];
Filipino: Surian ng Pilipinas sa Bulkanolohiya at Sismolohiya) is a Philippine national institution dedicated
to provide information on the activities of volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, as well as other
specialized information and services primarily for the protection of life and property and in support of
economic, productivity, and sustainable development. It is one of the service agencies of the
Department of Science and Technology.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

(Surian ng Pilipinas sa Bulkanolohiya at Sismolohiya)

Agency overview

Formed - 17 September 1982 (36 years ago)

Preceding agencies - Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL) & Philippine Institute of Volcanology

(PHIVOLC)

Jurisdiction - Philippines

Headquarters - C.P. Garcia Avenue, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City 14°39′6.94″N 121°3′30.68″E

Agency executive - Usec. Renato U. Solidum Jr., Director

Parent agency - Department of Science and Technology

PHIVOLCS monitors volcano, earthquake, and tsunami activity, and issues warnings as
necessary. It is mandated to mitigate disasters that may arise from such volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, tsunamis, and other related geotectonic phenomena.
History

This government organization was formed after a historical merging of official functions of
government institutions.

One of its first predecessors is the Philippine Weather Bureau created in 1901 when
meteorological, seismological and terrestiial magnetic services of the Manila Observatory were
transferred from the Roman Catholic Church to the American Colonial Government. It performed
earthquake monitoring in the country and has inherited and maintained the early earthquake catalogue
at that time. By 1972, the Philippine Weather Bureau was reorganized under Presidential Decree No. 78
into the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). A
UNDP-funded project for PAGASA established a twelve-station earthquake monitoring network in the
country.

The other predecessor to PHIVOLCS, the Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL) was created on
June 20, 1952 by Republic Act no. 766 after the disastrous eruption of Hibok-Hibok Volcano in 1952.
Under Executive Order no. 784 of March 17, 1982, the umbrella department of COMVOL, the National
Science Development Board (NSDB) was reorganized into the National Science and Technology Authority
(NSTA), and COMVOL was restructured to become the Philippine Institute of Volcanology or PHILVOLC.

The seismological arm of PAGASA was officially transferred to PHILVOLC on September 17, 1984,
renaming the institute as the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS. NSTA,
the umbrella department for PHIVOLCS and PAGASA, became the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) in 1987. The technical staff and the 12-station earthquake monitoring network was
fully integrated to PHIVOLCS in 1988.

PHIVOLCS was headed by Raymundo Punongbayan from 1982 to 2003, and it is currently
headed by Renato U. Solidum Jr. from 2003 to the present.

Officials

A team of dedicated officials striving for the welfare of Filipinos

Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.

Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction &

Climate Change, DOST and Officer in Charge,
Dr. Bartolome
PHIVOLCS
BautistaDepu
PHIVOLCS
 Teresito C. Bacolcol
) Scientist, Office of the Director

Ma. Antonia V. Bornas

Chief, Volcano Monitoring and

Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD)

Marilou V. Del Rosario

Officer in Charge, Finance and

Administrative Division (FAD)
 Ishmael C. Narag

OIC, Seismological Observation &

Earthquake Prediction Division
(SOEPD)

Arturo S. Daag

Chief, Geology, Geophysics Research

& Development Division (GGRDD)

Ma. Mylene M. Villegas

Chief, Geologic Disaster Awareness &

Preparedness Division (GDAPD)

Ma. Leonila P. Bautista

Scientist, Office of the Director

REFERENCES:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org

Website - www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph

www.jbeapindustries.com>Library_3.pdf

vm.observatory.ph

https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/2-uncategorised/635-philippine-fault-zone-maps

http://vm.observatory.ph/geophys_maps.html

NSCP 2015 Volume 1