The aftermath of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Morocco where the Moroccan Red Crescent Society (MRCS) responds immediately providing first aid and psychosocial support, helping transport the injured to hospitals, evacuating people from damaged buildings and providing dignified burial management. (Photo courtesy: MRCS)

MANILA, (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that if an earthquake similar to the one that struck Morocco last Friday were to happen in Metro Manila, it could potentially result in around 34,000 fatalities and 114,000 injuries.

"The West Valley Fault is capable of generating a magnitude 7.2 earthquake and based on the study in 2004, the expected casualties would be 34,000 in Metro Manila. Meron ding (There would also be) 114,000 injured," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said in a media interview on Monday, September 11. 

The Phivolcs chief said the West Valley Fault--which runs from Dingalan, Aurora in the north and through the cities of Quezon, Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Parañaque, Taguig and the provinces of Laguna and Cavite--is capable of generating an earthquake with a 7.2-magnitude based on the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) conducted in 2004.

Bacolcol said that the last recorded earthquake coming from this faultline happened in 1658, adding that the dreaded Metro Manila’s "Big One" is now “long overdue.”

Based on the study funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Phivolcs, the death toll in a strong earthquake is caused by the collapse of 13 percent of houses, while those injured are due to the collapse of buildings.

Bacolcol said the 7.2-magnitude Big One could also cause ground ruptures, and Intensity VIII tremors would be felt. 

According to Phivolcs’ Earthquake Intensity Scale, an Intensity VIII is considered as a “very destructive” earthquake with many well-built buildings being considerably damaged, railway tracks and waterpipes bent or broken, and bridges destroyed by ground settling or toppling. 

Bacolcol then advised the public to carry out the retrofitting of buildings and houses to make them more earthquake-resilient in order to prevent or reduce casualties in case of a strong earthquake.

The recent Morocco earthquake  claimed at least 2,862 lives, as reported by the country's Interior Ministry on Monday.

Moroccan authorities estimated the earthquake at magnitude 7.2, while the United States Geological Survey recorded it as magnitude 6.8. (PIA-NCR)