Some Areas In Metro Manila Could Possibly Lose Their Solidity
METRO MANILA – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or Phivolcs said some areas in Manila that are prone to ‘liquefaction’.
Liquefaction or specifically ‘soil liquefaction’ is the natural phenomenon where soil loses its solidity and strength making it loose and flow like a ‘liquid’. Or basically, an occurrence where the solid land ‘behaves like liquid’.
This phenomenon could happen when a there’s a sudden change of stress in the soil or when the soil structure is ‘shook’ (commonly by an earthquake).
In the Philippines, the phenomenon couldo occur at anytime especially that Phivolcs announced the ‘big one‘ could strike any time.
Science Undersecretary and Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. let out the notice to explain the possible reason why the building of Emilio Aguinaldo College or EAC in Manila collapsed and ‘lead’ to neighboring building. This is during the 6.1 magnitude earthquake recorded in Luzon last Monday (April 22, 2019).
This is based on an article from Philstar. Based on the article,
The ‘soil liquefaction’ is also the reason why many buildings in Dagupan City collapsed during the massive earthquake back in July 1990.
Back in July 1990, the massive Luzon earthquake claimed the lives of over 1,600 people, primarily in Baguio City, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija.
Renato Solidum Jr., who is also a geologist, stated that the land where the EAC building was founded (San Marcelino Street in Ermita) is prone to ‘liquefaction’.
He did not confirm, however, that ‘liquefaction’ is the exact reason why the building’s foundation collapsed and why the building has tilted.
He also said that an intensity 7 earthquake could trigger liquefaction and the earthquake felt in Manila was at intensity 5.
There were also no signs of liquefaction such as: road cracks or water and sand shooting up from cracks on the ground.
The tilting of the building could also be due to poor construction, according to Solidum.
He also added that liquefaction could be addressed by properly designing the structure of the building.
As of now, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar talked with the EAC school officials and asked to discontinue the use of the building.
That is all there is to it, at least for now. We’ll post updates as soon as we got them.
