TACLOBAN CITY, (PIA) — With the reconstruction of the Palo Seismic Station, an earthquake monitoring station which was badly damaged by Super typhoon Yolanda, Leyte constituents will now experience a more accurate and timely determination of earthquake parameters whenever an active earthquake occurs in the province.
Aside from giving increased detection of events needed for the detailed assessment of earthquake hazards that could possibly affect the area, the seismic station will likewise help in the formulation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) plan of the province for decision-makers to come up with right interventions.
According to the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs), Eastern Visayas is one of the seismically active areas in the country because of the Philippine Fault and the Philippine Trench, which are the main earthquake generators that can affect the area. In addition, there are other local faults which can be sources of small to large-magnitude earthquakes.
The reconstruction of the monitoring station is part of the Philippine Seismic Network geared towards enhancing the public’s means of preparedness for geologic events. The station operates using dual electricity source, solar power as the main power source and commercial electricity.
“This is the station with the best record, meaning the data are clean and very sharp because the ground is rock. It can detect large earthquakes all over the world,” Phivolcs officer-in-charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. said.
The seismic station located at Barangay Arado in Palo, Leyte was inaugurated recently and the ceremony was lead by Solidum, DOST-8 Regional Director Edgar Esperancilla, and Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla. (JNPD/GTT/PIA-Leyte, with press release from PHIVOLCS)
