Raymond S. Rodolfo

Scientists investigate recent Philippine landslide

A massive landslide devastated the community of Barangay Guinsaugon, Municipality of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte Province, Philippines, at about 10:30 local time on 17 February The landslide occurred along the steep fault scarp of the Philippine Fault Zone (PFZ) (Figure 1a), a large and active tectonic structure that traverses the entire length of the Philippines [Allen, 1962]. Barangay Guinsaugon is located at the foot of the scarp, directly in the path of the downward moving mass of earth. As of 24 February the landslide caused 122 confirmed deaths; 1,328 people still are missing.

Geological hazards of SW Natib Volcano, site of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, the Philippines

Abstract The SW sector of Mount Natib, a potentially active volcano in the Bataan volcanic arc in western Luzon, is the site of a mothballed nuclear power plant that members of the national legislature have proposed to activate. Detailed geological fieldwork was conducted to assess the capability of the volcano and to identify any volcanic hazards it might pose to the nuclear plant. The nearest eruptive centre is 5.5 km away from the plant. SW Natib Volcano is underlain by lava flows, lahar deposits and at least six pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits, three directly underlying the nuclear reactor facility. A fault trending N30°E is aligned with the Lubao Fault, a capable fault NE of the volcanic edifice. Radon emissions at the traces of these faults are high and comparable to those at known active faults. An associated thrust fault at the nuclear site cuts through lahars up to the ground surface. The results presented here can be used for general hazard preparedness of local communities, and may assist the government to decide whether or not to recommission the nuclear power plant.