Do You Live Near an Active Fault?
An active fault is one that has moved in the past and is expected to move again. Put in another way, an
active fault has generated earthquakes before and can cause more in the future. Inactive faults do not show
signs of having generated an earthquake in the many years, but they may possibly still generate an earthquake
in the future.
Scientists use different ways to find out if a fault is active. One is by checking the country’s historical
records. Historians always write about destructive events such as earthquakes. Another is by studying the
vibrations, past and present, that come from faults Still another way is by observing the surroundings. For
example, a fault may cross a road and because of that, the road is displaced, or a fault may cut across a stream
and the stream channel then shifted, or a fault may slice through mountains and form cliffs. This is not to say
that anyone can spot an active fault. Scientists need a lot of training to do that. Active faults studies in the
Philippines are spearheaded by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The institute
regularly updates its list of active faults as new data gathered and analyzed.
Along some faults, the effects may be dramatic. Suppose a house was built on a fault. As the ground
shifts little by little, parts of the house will be affected. The floor will crack, doors will not close, and the roof may
start to leak. It is important to know the location of active faults. As far as possible, no important structures should
be built near or on them. Faults are found not only on land but also under the sea. When a fault at the bottom of
the sea suddenly moves, the water above it can be affected. A sudden push from an underwater fault can produce
a wave called tsunami.
Activity 2: Active and Inactive Fault
Let us make these concepts closer to home.
Directions: Using the map, locate the active fault and inactive fault of the Central Visayas.
Write your answers on your Activity notebook.
Guide Questions:
1. Where are the active faults located at Central Visayas?
2. What agency gives us reliable source of information about active and inactive faults?
3. How do active fault lines shape the landscape of the islands?
4. How do fault lines affect the community?
5. What will you do if your community is situated along an active fault?
Activity 3: Build me a Condominium
Directions: Write your answers on your Activity notebook.
