THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday launched the Seismic Hazard Atlas for the Design Earth of the Philippines.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the atlas would be a crucial resource for improving the safety and durability of buildings across the country, providing the scientific foundation for earthquake-resistant design practices.
The atlas contains generated high-quality seismic hazard ground motion maps that will serve as a critical tool for structural design and urban planning in earthquake-prone areas, Bacolcol said.
“By enhancing the capacity of Filipino engineers and architects to design structures that are better equipped to handle seismic events, the project contributes to safeguarding lives and properties,” he added.
The atlas also aims to raise awareness and improve preparedness for earthquakes, ultimately strengthening the nation’s resilience to natural hazards and supporting the sustainable development of safer communities across the Philippines.
Patterned after international seismic design standards and available in both national and regional scales, the atlas also includes the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) Maps for the Philippines, the agency said.
It features the Transition Long Period Map of the Philippines, which identifies the specific period in the design response spectra that separates constant velocity from constant displacement, helping engineers assess the impact of long-period ground motions, particularly in high-rise buildings.
“These maps would offer invaluable data for engineers and planners to design structures that can withstand seismic activity,” Bacolcol stressed.
He thanked DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., DOST-Philippine Council of Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines for helping the agency develop the atlas.
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