Philippine Earthquake From 1980-2013: Fractal Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the Philippine earthquake from 1980-2013. This study aimed to determine, identify, locate, and map the different earthquake-prone areas in the Philippines using fractal analysis. This study was conducted at Guimaras State College-Salvador Campus. All the gathered data were analyzed using the FrakOut Software and Statistical Package for Social Sciences for windows based on the information obtained from the internet through data mining. Results shows that from 2000 to 2013 the faults located in the Philippines become more active. The multi-fractal dimensions implies at least two operant fractal dimensions: one operating at a lower scale (from 0 to 0.10) and another at higher scales (higher than the scale of 0.10). Moreover, the spatial analysis revealed that there were 168 earthquakes occurred from the period of 1980-1999. Mostly, in the eastern part of the Philippine Archipelago. In the period of 2000- 2013, 151 earthquakes occurred showing more scattered and disarrayed lighter lines in the map. Fractal analysis of the earthquakes in the Philippines from 1980-2013 revealed that there was a tremendous escalation of earthquake incidences inside the places represented by the vertices of the triangles: Southeastern Mindanao, Northernmost part of Luzon, Eastern Samar, Romblon and Western part of Mindanao. It was noted that magnitude of an earthquake and its intensity was directly proportional to the damages caused by it and the depth of an earthquake has no significant relationship to the amount of damage. Further, the strongest earthquakes was recorded in Luzon last July 16, 1990 with the magnitude of 7.8 and intensity of X+.