This presentation explores the exposure of Southern Leyte's Pacific towns to potential earthquake-induced tsunamis. Earthquakes, a natural catastrophe resulting from tectonic plate movements or volcanic eruptions, often lead to tsunamis, posing severe threats in unprepared regions. The Philippines, due to its geological makeup, faces recurrent earthquakes and the risk of tsunamis.
Highlighting past tsunami incidents in the Philippines, like the 1994 Mindoro earthquake and the 1976 Cotabato trench earthquake, this presentation emphasizes the need for tsunami risk assessment. Spatial analysis is vital to identify vulnerable areas based on factors such as earthquake magnitude, depth, and proximity to the shoreline.
This study employs spatial mapping techniques, using earthquake data from USGS and geographic data from open data sources. QGIS software, an open source mapping software, processes the data, producing maps illustrating earthquake depth and magnitude. Heatmaps identify high-risk zones based on earthquake depth concentration. Temporal analysis reveals an increasing trend in earthquake occurrences, particularly in recent years.
Understanding earthquake behavior and its relation to tsunamis is crucial for preparedness and mitigation. Identifying high-risk areas enables the development of strategies to reduce tsunami impacts, emphasizing risk management over crisis response. Learning from past experiences and conducting comprehensive studies are essential steps toward earthquake-induced tsunami preparedness in vulnerable regions like Southern Leyte's Pacific towns.