How far are you from possible danger? Web developers create online tool to calculate distance from West Valley Fault

In 2013, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) initially predicted that Metro Manila’s West Valley Fault was due to cause an estimated 7.2-magnitude earthquake in the near future.

With reports about the impending earthquake receiving great attention in social media, analysts and seismologists are warning the public yet again of the danger the earthquake is capable of generating. It is speculated that such an earthquake can cause tremors even a hundred kilometers away from the fault line and result in major infrastructural damage and fire spread.

Given the threats posed by the earthquake, how exactly are we preparing for it?

Project Tremors

Recently, a group of web developers called Instigators—which include Lasallian alumni—created Project Tremors, a website that can calculate how far one’s current location is from the nearest fault line of the West Valley Fault system. Moreover, the website was made to increase awareness of the imminent earthquake and allow people to have a more proactive approach on disaster preparedness.

Project Tremors Developer Dominic Tuazon (BS-INSYS, ‘14) shares that the project was created out of frustration from interpreting data in Valley Fault System Atlas, a project of PHIVOLCS that contains large scale maps showing areas traversed by the said fault system.

“It got me thinking that similar people might have the same sentiments with me regarding this information,” describes Tuazon, citing that even he found the data from Project Atlas “complicated.” He explains, “I decided to create a site that would be simple enough for any user and answer the question that everyone’s been trying to ask: How close am I to the fault line?”

Tuazon recalls that a prototype of the website was made in two days through his team. The group is comprised of three developers: Tuazon, Louis Michael Concepcion of University of Makati, and Emmanuel Soriano of Far Eastern University Institute of Technology. In charge of web design and marketing are Lasallians Kyle Abughanem of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde and Michael Gutierrez (MS-IE, ‘13), respectively.

Since its launch, the website has gained over 200,000 visits and has been shared multiple times in various social networking sites. Tuazon explains that users who find it relevant share it with their families and friends. He also adds that big institutions have also taken notice of the website. “This helps spread the awareness of our site, and, ultimately, the issue on the Marikina Fault System,” he says.

Taking it further

As of press time, Tuazon’s team is looking for partners who can help them integrate hospitals, evacuation centers, safe zones, and other relevant information to the site. Tuazon explains that in adding such data, the website can not only inform people of their distance from the fault line, but also provide them with further information to help them better prepare for an earthquake.

In terms of the site’s features, the group is also seeking support from public and private organizations willing to help in upgrading the site and making it more accessible to the public. “[Other] than PHIVOLCS, we also want to reach out to the various local government units whose cities are primarily affected by the potential earthquake risk. By partnering up with these institutions, we can do more tangible means of disaster preparations on top of spreading awareness,” Tuazon says.

Additionally, with the approaching typhoon season, Tuazon shares that there is a possible direction for his team to develop a similar website addressing flood and storm preparedness. “Let’s see what new project the Instigators will come up with next,” he quips, “but we can assure you that we will continue developing quality projects like [Project Tremors].”