FAST FACTS

Experts have warned that a segment of the Valley Fault System (VFS) was ripe for a strong earthquake which may hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Here are some quick facts about the VFS.

Two fault segments, namely the East Valley Fault and the West Valley Fault, comprise the VFS, an active fault system within the Greater Metro Manila Area

10 km—Length of the East Valley Fault in Rizal

100 km—Length of the West Valley Fault which runs through portions of Quezon City, Marikina City, Pasig City, Makati City, Taguig City, Muntinlupa City and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite

7.2—Magnitude of earthquake that can be generated by the West Valley Fault, and which may result in a highly destructive ground shaking, with Intensity 8 in Metro Manila and nearby provinces

400 to 600 years—Approximate return period of strong earthquakes generating from the West Valley Fault, based on recent studies

37,000—Estimated number of people who could be killed by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila based on a 2013 study

140,000—Estimated number of people who could be seriously injured in a 7.2-magnitude earthquake

P2.5 trillion—Worth of damage that may be caused by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila

40—Percentage of buildings and residential homes in Metro Manila that could be destroyed or damaged in a major earthquake

500—Fires that could be triggered by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and which may result in additional 18,000 deaths

Compiled by Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, phivolcs.dost.gov.ph