I saw a CNA report yesterday re: the recent 7.1-M #earthquake in Japan and I heard them use “omega quake” to refer to Japan issuing a potential 9.0-M #megaquake within the week.
It sounded ominous. ^^;;
I didn't understand the exact context but the news anchor only used it once and it was “mega quake” the rest of the report. So, I don't know why they even said “omega quake”.
Anyway… what this post is really about is the importance of being ready, be it omega #quake or megaquake.
The cause of the 7.1-M quake was that the Philippine plate slipped under another plate, and based on Japan's records, the few times it happened in the past, a megaquake happened within the week because it's near the Nankai Trough. And even after the warning is lifted, people should still be prepared.
The #Philippines itself, like Japan, is situated near these subduction zones. Not only that, we are actually in-between two subduction zones and on top of one!
In other words, and this should be a reminder and a warning for all of us, no matter where you are in the Philippines, we're in a ticking 7.0-M ‒ 9.0-M “quake bomb”. However, unlike Japan, we have very, very few quake resilient buildings and homes, and our rescue network/system are yet to be tested. (In fairness, they've considered a lot of technologies like mesh networking.)
So, like the Japanese people, we Filipinos should prepare ourselves as well. We're too focused on “The West Valley Fault System” (formerly known as the “Marikina Fault Line”) when there are also the Manila Trench (West) and the Philippine Trench (East), not to mention thee Philippine Fault that cuts through the middle of the entire country.
These two trenches can produce between 8.0-M – 9.0-M. Subduction zones are very dangerous. Compare it to The West Valley Fault, where this talk of “The Big One” is always based on, they estimate it can produce up to 7.2-M.
While subduction-based quakes are rare in the Philippines… it doesn't mean we're safe from it. It is when we think we're “safe” that increases injuries and deaths. Prepare for the worst. Be alert. Keep a sound mind, so when disaster strikes, we're not panicking (which is contiguous).
See:
* https://www.cebu.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00489.html
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subduction_tectonics_of_the_Philippines
(Attached images from the two links above.)
Greg Cocks 
