BUTUAN CITY

SITE RESPONSE
ATLAS

Specific Earthquake Ground Motion Levels to Help Increase the

Seismic Resiliency of Government Infrastructures, Residential, and
Medium-to-High Rise Buildings in Butuan City

2021
 Aerial view of an urban area in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte with Central Mindano Ridge in the background. (Photo taken on June 2021)

Philippine Copyright © 2021

Published by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
(DOST-PHIVOLCS)

ISBN 978-621-96559-1-0

Any part of this document may be used and reproduced as presented provided proper acknowledgement is made.

For inquiries, please contact:

Department of Science and Technology

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY
PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Campus Diliman, Quezon City 1101

Tel. Nos.: +63 2 8426-1468 to 79; +63 2 8926-2611

Fax No.: +63 2 8929-8366; +63 2 8928-3757

https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph

Front Cover Photo: Aerial view of an urban area in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte with Eastern Mindanao Ridge in
the background. (Photo taken on June 2021)

Butuan City Site Response Atlas

A product of DOST-PHIVOLCS, through the DOST-PCIEERD funded project titled:
“Specific Earthquake Ground Motion Levels to Help Increase the Seismic Resiliency of
Government Infrastructures, Residential, and Medium-to-High Rise Buildings in
Pangasinan, Tarlac, Metro Iloilo-Guimaras, Cauayan City, Butuan City, and Mati City".

Printed September 2021

 Butuan City
Site Response Atlas
Specific Earthquake Ground Motion Levels to Help Increase
the Seismic Resiliency of Government Infrastructures,
Residential, and Medium-to-High Rise Buildings in
Butuan City

Department of Science and Technology

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF
VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Taguig City

Congratulations to DOST-PHIVOLCS and DOST-PCIEERD for the successful implementation and funding of the project titled:
"Specific Earthquake Ground Motion Levels to Help Increase the Seismic Resiliency of Government Infrastructures, Residential,
and Medium-to-High Rise Buildings in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Metro Iloilo-Guimaras, Cauayan City, Butuan City, and Mati City",
also known as the Specific Earthquake Project. I would like to commend their grit and passion towards the development and
publication of the Butuan City Response Atlas.

This Atlas is another addition to the many disaster mitigation and risk reduction tools produced by DOST-PHIVOLCS. The Atlas will
help local goverment units of concerned study areas to verify areas that are vulnerable to various seismic hazards, and to advise
stakeholders on the parameters to consider in their building designs. This will also provide significant help in the land use planning
and zoning efforts in Butuan City, by adjusting the existing development plans with the observed ground motion levels within an
area. Considering the local ground conditions, this Atlas aims to identify areas suitable and safe for infrastructural development.

May the information contained in this atlas benefit all end users in responding to earthquake-related challenges. Let the knowledge
start with us, and let us aim to create more disaster-resilient communities.

Maraming Salamat! Mabuhay!

Sec. Fortunato T. De la Peña

Secretary
Department of Science and Technology

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY
Quezon City

I would like to thank DOST and DOST-PCIEERD for their continuous support in the completion of the Specific Earthquake Project.
With their help, we were able to develop and proudly publish the Butuan City Site Response Atlas. Finally, I would like to
acknowledge and congratulate our very own, Specific Earthquake Project Team for their hard work and dedication towards the
fulfillment and publication of this Atlas.

This Atlas is an effective means to enlighten everyone of us, and help us prepare for possible future earthquakes by presenting
to us the relevant information essential for increasing the seismic resiliency of structures in Butuan City. The Atlas showcases the
following hazard maps generated for this city namely the: Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) Map, Vs30 Model Map, Short-Period,
and Long-Period Microzonation Map. Both the Vs30 Model Map and PGA Map are widely used by engineers and geologists
to identify the soil profile type on site, and to calculate the design base shear as part of the minimum design requirements in
building structures, respectively. On the other hand, the Short-Period and Long-Period Microzonation Maps can be used as guide
for building designs to avoid soil-structure resonance, which commonly leads to structural damage and collapse. Moreover, with
this new data, it would be possible to identify existing structures that may be in need of further retrofitting schemes due to
potential building resonance. This technology will be a valuable supplemental data for urban planning, zoning, and disaster risk
reduction and management endeavors.

With this Atlas, we are confident that we have surely strengthened not only our structural resilience but also the intellectual
resilience of Filipinos, taking one step at a time for our country. Mabuhay!

Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.

Undersecretary, DOST
and Officer-in-Charge, DOST-PHIVOLCS

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR INDUSTRY, ENERGY, EMERGING TECHONOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Taguig City
The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and
Development (DOST-PCIEERD) congratulate and commend the DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
for successfully developing and producing the Butuan City Site Response Atlas.
As a leader and preferred partner in jumpstarting change through research and development (R&D), DOST-PCIEERD has been
at the epicenter of enabling and advancing innovations and breakthroughs, all for the benefit and advantage of this country.
Providing funding support to various sectors, especially in disaster mitigation and risk reduction, this Atlas is solid proof of our
resolve to making Filipinos more resilient and prepared to face disasters.
This compendium of maps is a vital resource material especially for the people of rapidly developing cities, metropolitan areas
and provincial growth centers. The Atlas can be used as a guide in the development of their urban areas. By creating designs that
adhere to recommended provisions and design requirements, building humble houses to tall and grand edifices can be spared
from damages brought about by earthquake ground shaking.
We hope that the recent spur in the construction and development brought about by economic growth and urbanization even
outside metropolitan areas, will encourage local administrators to improve their land use plans in zoning medium-to-high rise
buildings. With this emerging improvement in the field of seismic hazard assessment, the data presented in this Atlas can be used
as reference maps to identify and verify areas or building designs vulnerable to soil-structure resonance based on the observed
local ground responses, avoiding or reducing its effects.
It is our duty to provide strategic leadership in enabling innovations and contribute to the country's productivity and competitiveness.
In doing so, we hope that the metropolitan cities, municipalities, and developing provinces covered by this scientific project will
become safer, more sustainable, and resilient places for our future generations.
Maraming salamat!
Dr. Enrico C. Paringit
Executive Director
DOST-PCIEERD
 Republic of the Philippines
PROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL
OFFICE OF THE CITY MAYOR
Butuan City

Congratulations!

The City Government of Butuan is proud of this new feat that you have been working entitled: “Specific Earthquake Ground-Motion
Levels to Heal Increase the Seismic Resiliency of Government Infrastructures, Residential and Medium-to-High Rise Buildings in
Pangasinan, Tarlac, Metro Iloilo-Guimaras, Cauayan City, Butuan City and Mati City”.
We are grateful for including Butuan City in this research and study, providing a concrete data and reference to the city’s ground
motion characteristic.
Butuan City is a product of sedimentation from long ago and a cause of challenge to us especially that we embark on big ticket
infrastructure development.
We are into redefining the infrastructure landscape of the city and your project, the Butuan City Site Response Atlas, is highly
regarded to assist in the design of wide-range of structures as we embrace progress and development that is disaster-proof.
This is a big help to us in our goal to improve our risk reduction and mitigation strategies to create a sustainable, safer and
earthquake-resilient city.
We are grateful to this intervention and we convey our appreciation to the DOST-PHIVOLCS and DOST-PCIEERD for yet another
invaluable service to the people.
Salamat Kadyaw and Mabuhay!
Hon. Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada
City Mayor
Butuan City

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
BUREAU OF DESIGN
Manila City

I would like to commend the scientists, engineers, and staff of DOST-PHIVOLCS and DOST-PCIEERD for their effort in the develop-
ment of the Site Response Atlases of six (6) selected cities/provinces. This is a way forward in the field of earthquake engineering
practice in the Philippines, and can therefore help increase the seismic resiliency and support efficient engineering design of
public infrastructures.

The next generation of engineering codes such as the DPWH Bridge Seismic Design Specifications and the upcoming revision of
the ASEP-NSCP for buildings, adopted by the Bureau of Design, will certainly benefit by adopting input parameters and datasets
from these Atlases. The shift of various codes worldwide towards full adoption of seismic soil parameter maps such as Vs30 map
in the design of buildings and bridges as embodied by the Site Response Atlas, has also laid out the groundwork for a national
scale mapping.

In line with this, let me express this Bureau's full support in further development of Site Response Atlases.

Engr. Edwin C. Matanguihan

Director
Bureau of Design, DPWH

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
BUREAU OF RESEARCH AND STANDARDS
Quezon City

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the commited scientists and engineers of DOST-PHIVOLCS that worked for the
completion and publication of the six (6) Site Response Atlases of the Specfic Earthquake Project, and the DOST-PCIEERD for the
funding assistance and guidance throughout the implementation of this scientific project.

With the publication of this Atlas, engineers and urban planners of the local government units of cities and municipalities involved
in the atlas can incorporate the results as part of their minimum design requirements and seismic regulations, during the planning
and development phases of infrastructures and urban designs. Further, the information gathered and the methodologies used in
the completion of site response atlases can be utilized as inputs in the amendment of the National Structural Code of the Philippines
(NSCP). With the initiative of this project, we can continue to pave the way to further develop and refine its methodologies of
estimating the ground motion response levels within an area, which is very important, timely, and relevant for a seismically-active
country in its developing stage. If we continue these efforts, we can further improve its current potential in increasing the seismic
resiliency of not only our present urban situation, but also in shaping our future's urban development.

May the accompanied wisdom embedded in this Atlas be used in its utmost potential by the local governments units, stakeholders,
private sectors, and other end users to help us in this campaign of continuously building sustainable communities at the same
time spread and the disaster-resilient mind set and outlook.

Engr. Reynaldo P. Faustino

Assistant Director, Caretaker
Bureau of Research and Standards, DPWH
 Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
Butuan City Site Response Atlas 1
Distribution of Active Faults and Trenches in the Philippines 3
Distribution of Active Faults and Trenches in Region XIII 4
Geologic Map of Butuan City 5
Peak Ground Acceleration Map of Butuan City 6
Vs30 Model Map of Butuan City 7
Predominant Period Microzonation Map of Butuan City 8
Long-Period Microzonation Map of Butuan City 9
Survey Methods 10
 BUTUAN CITY SITE RESPONSE ATLAS
The Butuan City Site Response Atlas is a compilation of maps depicting site response and resulting earthquake ground motion within the city. Its ultimate goal is to increase the
seismic resiliency of government infrastructures, residential, and medium-to-high rise buildings located in Butuan City in the Province of Agusan del Norte. This atlas includes:
(1) Distribution of Active Faults and Trenches in the Philippines from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), (2) Distribution of Active Faults
and Trenches in Region XIII from the DOST-PHIVOLCS, (3) Geologic Map of Butuan City from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), (4) Peak Ground Acceleration
Map of Butuan City from the DOST-PHIVOLCS, (5) Vs30 Model Map of Butuan City, (6) Predominant Period Microzonation Map of Butuan City, and (7) Long-Period Microzonation
Map of Butuan City. These maps provide information to collectively understand the dynamic characteristics of the underlying soil and rock layers in Butuan City affecting the
ground motion in the event of an earthquake.

Definition of Terms Butuan City is sitting on the northern portions of the Agusan Valley, characterized
by relatively flat terrains and low-lying areas formed by overlapping alluvial plains
• Active Fault – a fault that has moved within the last 10,000 years. It shows of several river systems. In fact, the city is traversed by the generally north-trending
evidence or has documented history of its recent movement. Agusan River, which finally drains towards its mouth in Butuan Bay. The vast plains
• Long-Period – period of ground motion greater than 1 second (band under 1 of the Agusan Valley form part of the Agusan-Davao Basin. This elongate basin is
Hertz; low frequency). oriented in a N-S trending axis and is traversed longitudinally in its eastern flank by the
southern extension of the Philippine Fault (MGB, 2010). In addition to this, Agusan-
• Microtremors – one of the passive/natural fields of the earth. They are Davao Basin has one of the thickest sedimentary fill in the country, with thickness
ubiquitous, weak, low-amplitude background vibrations or ambient noises ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 meters (Tamesis, 1981), sometimes attaining a thickness
generated from natural phenomena and anthropogenic sources that could be of more than 12,000 meters (Ranneft et. al., 1960). This basin is bounded to the east
recorded on the surface of the earth (Okada, 2003). by the Eastern Mindanao Ridge, and Central Mindanao Ridge to the west. Butuan City,
being part of a sedimentary basin where soft soils are relatively thick, has the tendency
• Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) – the maximum ground acceleration that to alter or amplify ground motion at specific frequencies. Thus, because of the city’s
occurred during an earthquake ground shaking at a given location. topography and subsurface geology brought about by its geographical position within
the basin while being flanked by stiff mountain ranges, and its proximity to earthquake
• Predominant Period – indicates the frequency under which near-surface soft generators, Butuan City may exhibit vulnerability to ground shaking and the effects of
sediment amplifies the earthquake ground motion. site response.
• Seismic shear-wave – the body wave that is commonly perceived as a horizontal One of the notable examples of this effect was demonstrated last 1985 in Mexico
vibration perpendicular to the direction of the wave propagation during an City when an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 8.0, and an epicenter located
earthquake. more than 300 kilometers away rattled the city. As a huge portion of the city was
• Site Response – the influence of local site conditions to alter earthquake sitting on top of ancient lake sediments, ground shaking was amplified. This resulted
ground motion on a particular site. to huge property damage and casualties (Cassaro & Romero, 1986). Ground shaking
amplification occurs when the period of ground motion matches the natural period
• Soil-Structure Resonance – accentuated amplitude of vibration or oscillation of or resonance of the structures on site called soil-structure resonance. The given
the structure during an earthquake excitation occurring when its predominant structures will experience the largest oscillations possible and are more likely to sustain
period approximately matches with the predominant period of the ground. structural damage and collapse due to prolonged and amplified ground shaking.
• Trench – the deepest portion on the sea floor. It is a manifestation of subduction The DOST-PCIEERD funded project titled “Specific Earthquake Ground Motion Levels to
zone where a tectonic plate moved or is pushed under another tectonic plate. Help Increase the Seismic Resiliency of Government Infrastructures, Residential, and
Medium-to-High Rise Buildings in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Metro Iloilo-Guimaras, Cauayan
• Vs30 – the average seismic shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 meters of soil City, Butuan City, and Mati City”, also known as the “Specific Earthquake Project”
layer used for characterizing site conditions. of DOST-PHIVOLCS aims to determine site response using the three (3) geophysical
methods and processing techniques to generate the three (3) different seismic
microzonation maps. Important details of the survey methodologies are presented in
Overview Figure 1 and Table 1.
Butuan City is located on the northeastern section of Mindanao Island, Philippines, in
the Province of Agusan del Norte. Among the 6 cities in Region XIII (Caraga), Butuan
City is the only highly urbanized city (HUC) and serves as the regional administrative
center. Being the only HUC, Butuan City is the most populous city among other
component cities in the whole region with a population of 372,910 in 2020 according
to the Philippine Statistics Authority (2021). Among the rest of the provinces/HUCs in
the region, Butuan City has the highest annual population growth rate in 2020 with
2.15%. Overall, the growing population in the city results to rapid urbanization and
increase in the demand for infrastructural developments.
Butuan City is considered one of the seismically active areas in the country due to its
proximity to several earthquake generators that could induce predominant and long-
period ground motions. The nearest potential earthquake sources are the southern
segments of the Philippine Fault in eastern Mindanao (pp. 4) that were described
in detail by Perez et. al. (2015) and Tsutsumi & Perez (2013). Some of the nearest Figure 1. Specific Earthquake Project Conceptual Flowchart.
segments to Butuan City are briefly described here. Perez & Tsutsumi (2017) discussed
in detail the Surigao Segment that traverses Butuan City and the recurrence interval
of surface-rupturing earthquakes. The southern end of the Surigao Segment traverses Table 1. Specific Earthquake Project Method Descriptions.
the eastern sides of the city (more than 10 kilometers from the city proper) at the
western edge of the Eastern Mindanao Ridge (pp. 5) and branches out as it cuts across Frequency
Data
Sampling
Method Instrument Acquisition Target Ground Property
this mountain range, with the main trace continuing southward. South of the Surigao Response
Time
Frequency
Segment is the Esperanza Segment. These 2 segments are within the administrative DAQLink III Average shear-wave
boundaries of Butuan City, and can generate destructive earthquakes with magnitudes Refraction
Seismograph;
4.5 Hertz 500
velocity of the upper 30
(Mw) 7.4 and 7.1, respectively. Further south of the Esperanza Segment outside Microtremor
12-Channel R.T. Clark
(vertical 15 minutes samples
meters of soil layer (Vs30)
Butuan City is the Agusan Marsh Segment, which can produce an earthquake of (ReMi) Survey geophones) per second
Vertical Geophones in meter per second (m/s)
magnitude (Mw) 7.2. Other distal segments southward from Agusan Marsh that can Three- OYO McSEIS-MT
100 Amplification at higher
produce strong earthquakes based on the study of Perez et. al. (2015) are the: West Component Neo Seismometer 0.1 to 200 30 to 50
samples frequency (predominant
Compostela Valley Segment (Mw = 7.1), Central Compostela Valley Segment (Mw = 7.1), Microtremor (3-channel <Vertical, Hertz minutes
per second period) in second (s)
Nabuntaran Segment (Mw = 6.7), East Compostela Valley Segment (Mw = 6.6), Caraga Survey Horizontal>)
River Segment (Mw = 6.9), and the Mati Segment (Mw = 7.1). The northern termination Microtremor Seven (7) OYO McSEIS-
0.1 to 200 40 to 60
100 Amplification at lower
of the Central Mindanao Fault can also be found about 50 kilometers southwest from Array MT Neo Seismometers
Hertz minutes
samples frequency (long-period) in
Measurements (1-channel <Vertical>) per second second (s)
the city proper. The Philippine Trench is also an active source that can be traced more
than 150 kilometers in the offshore east of the city (pp. 3).
Aside from the presence of earthquake generators, site response influences the All surveys were performed under fair weather conditions starting from the 17th of
amplitude and duration of ground shaking regardless of its distance to the epicenter May to 8th of June 2021, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Survey sites were distributed widely
of the earthquake, and dictates the amplification at specific frequencies during an across the city to ensure good spatial resolution. Gain selection depends on the
earthquake. This phenomenon is primarily anchored to the subsurface geology of local site conditions during the survey, since all three (3) survey methods measure
the area. It is usually manifested by geomorphological features or differences in microtremors. The recordings were conducted at quiet environments where
topography (e.g., sedimentary basin versus mountain range/basement). Stiffness microtremors as a stationary process dominate in the data (e.g., avoiding areas with
and thickness of layers also play a significant role in the amplification of the ground. heavy traffic or industrial/mechanical noise and vibrations from construction sites,
Decrease in the stiffness and increase in the thickness of a layer (e.g., soil layer) result etc.).
to a decrease in the frequency. Thus, high impedance contrast across the boundary
of a hard rock and an overlying thick, soft soil layer result to lower frequencies being
amplified in the soil layer with respect to the hard rock. This is commonly exemplified Vs30 Model Map
in a sedimentary basin, colloquially known as a bowl of hard rock filled with soft soils Ground response varies per area, depending on the physio-chemical properties of the
– an amplifying geologic structure. rock or soil layers influencing its stiffness. Thickness, on the other hand, also varies
from place to place but is commonly dependent on the geology and topography of

1
the area. Soils or sediments in sedimentary basin are commonly thicker compared to
soils in mountain ranges and other elevated areas. Because of Butuan City’s geologic
setting and topography, there is wide range of soil thickness and variable stiffness.
Thus, obtaining the average shear-wave velocity of the top 30 meters of soil known
as “Vs30” is necessary, which is one of the main parameters influencing ground motion
and amplification.
Vs30 values were obtained using the Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) Survey as shown
in the flowchart in Figure 1 and in Table 1. Across various topographies in Butuan City,
25 sites were surveyed using the ReMi method. The Vs30 values were interpolated, and
the resulting map was integrated with the Vs30 map produced from topographic slope
data using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR) (Wald & Allen, 2007), to
finally generate the Vs30 Model Map of Butuan City. Vs30 ranges were also categorized
as site classes in the legend of the map in pp. 7 using Table 2.
of both maps in the deltaic area of Agusan River. The highest predominant period
value in this study with more than 1.5 seconds roughly coincides with one of the
locations with the lowest Vs30 values (less than 180 m/s) classified under Site Class E.
These high period values transition outward to a zone with decreased predominant
period values of 1.0 to 1.5 seconds that characterize the floodplain and point bar areas
related to the Agusan River (still coincides with Site Class E zone). This suggests that
thick and very soft soils or sediments underlie this coastal area. There is also a notable
similarity in terms of predominant period and Vs30 values in the two flanking mountain
ranges mentioned earlier. These mountains ranges exhibit the lowest predominant
period values in this study with less than 0.25 seconds and highest Vs30 values of more
than 360 m/s classified as Site Class C. Based on these observations, the geology and
topography generally affect the period of ground motion as well as the corresponding
stiffness or Vs30 value.

Long-Period Microzonation Map

Table 2. Vs30 site classification for seismic site response as defined by the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP, 1994).
Site Class Range of Vs30 (m/s) General Description
A >1500 Hard rock
B 760 – 1500 Rock
C 360 – 760 Very dense soil and soft rock
D 180 – 360 Stiff soil
E <180 Soil profile
Based on the results, most of the areas in Butuan City are classified under Site Classes
C and E. Generally, Vs30 values increase with elevation. This means that the lowest
Vs30 values of less than 180 m/s (Site Class E) dominate the flat topographies of the
northern portions of Agusan-Davao Basin where the downtown urban area of Butuan
is situated, or where the alluvial plains and coastal plains composed of young and less-
consolidated sediments known as Quaternary Alluvium (Qal) are more widespread
(pp. 5). These areas also include river floodplains, point bars, and swamplands
near the mouth of Agusan River towards Butuan Bay, including the floodplain areas
immediately along the side of Agusan River flowing across the mountain slopes in the
southern parts of the city (displayed as low relief Qal in pp. 5). On the other hand, areas
classified as Site Class C (Vs30 values of more than 360 m/s) correspond to the relatively
older, rigid, and resistant mountainous terrains in the western (Central Mindanao
Ridge) and eastern boundaries of the plains (Eastern Mindanao Ridge) in Butuan City.
This classification also includes the outcropping ridges and gently sloping areas of
stiff sedimentary rocks near the foot of the aforementioned mountain ranges. These
predominantly Site Class C areas may also include areas with Vs30 values classified
under Site Class B (>760 m/s) which were not detailed in the study. The large contrast
in the Vs30 ranges within the city (abrupt change from high Vs30 values of Site Class C to
low Vs30 values of Site Class E) suggests relatively recent deposition of sediments (less
compacted) underlying the plains of Butuan City with respect to the old mountain
ranges that flanks it.
Predominant Period Microzonation Map
Predominant period values were obtained using the Three-Component Microtremor
Survey performed at 103 sites across various topographies in Butuan City (Figure 1 and
Table 1). The predominant period values (in seconds) were interpolated to produce
the Predominant Period Microzonation Map of Butuan City (pp. 8). The resulting
map correlates with the Vs30 model map, except that the predominant period values
are roughly gradational, wherein zones change in value from the coastal area at the
mouth of the Agusan River towards the upland areas. Generally, higher ranges of
predominant period values dominate areas in the city with the lowest relief composed
of Quaternary Alluvium that are located mostly in the downtown city proper sprawling
at the northern termination of Agusan River towards Butuan Bay (pp. 5). These values
decrease as it approaches the gently rolling to mountainous terrains associated with
the Central Mindanao Ridge and Eastern Mindanao Ridge which flank the plains of the
city at the western and eastern sides, respectively. It is worthy to note the similarities
Butuan City exhibits vulnerability from long-period ground shaking since a large
portion of the city is sitting on top of a sedimentary basin. Long-period values were
obtained using the Microtremor Array Measurements performed at 12 sites across
the alluvial plains and gently sloping topographies in Butuan City, as shown in
the flowchart in Figure 1 and in Table 1. The long-period values (in seconds) were
interpolated to produce the Long-Period Microzonation Map of Butuan City (pp. 9).
Based on the results, Butuan City is correlative with the gradational predominant
period microzonation map, as well as with the Vs30 model map. Long-period zones
are roughly divided into 4 zones of estimated long-period ranges. The highest long-
period values in this study with 2.51 to 3.0 seconds roughly coincide with the highest
predominant period values (>1.5 seconds) and lowest Vs30 values (<180 m/s), located
at the mouth of Agusan River (deltaic area). This zone with highest period of ground
motion diminishes outward and transitions to the 2nd zone with 2.01 to 2.5 seconds,
followed by the 3rd zone with 1.51 to 2.0 seconds as it approaches the stiff mountain
ranges. Similar to the earlier maps, the gently sloping, older mountain ranges exhibit
the lowest long-period range in this study with 1.0 to 1.5 seconds. This zone of lowest
long-period values coincides with one of the locations with the lowest predominant
period and highest Vs30 values in this study. The floodplain part of Agusan River cutting
across the mountain slopes (displayed as low relief Quaternary Alluvium in pp. 5) also
exhibit relatively higher periods of ground motion (both predominant and long-period)
and lower Vs30 range, in contrast to the adjacent mountain ranges with relatively lower
period of ground motion and higher Vs30 range.
Application and Limitation
Design engineers can use the Vs30 model map to identify the soil or rock type in an area
and its stiffness based on the corresponding Vs30 range. Zoning the predominant period
of ground motion is also essential in developing earthquake-resilient infrastructures,
especially for residential and low-rise buildings in the city. In addition, the long-period
microzonation maps are used to verify areas suitable or critical for the development
of medium-to-high rise buildings. The period maps can be generally used by
planners or engineers in making sure that the natural period of infrastructures to be
developed does not coincide with the observed period of ground motion. Generally,
these microzonation maps can be used as a supplementary data for seismic load
design considerations for future structures, as well as in urban planning and zoning.
Moreover, concerned Local Government Units (LGUs) could adapt and incorporate the
results of this atlas into their respective Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) and
Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs), or as a resolution or policy, that in turn
would also benefit the private sectors, researchers, stakeholders, and other end-users
to build a more earthquake-resilient and disaster-prepared city.
The maps included in this atlas are semi-detailed and are produced from regional-
scale assessments, wherein data boundaries are approximate and gradational. Hence,
detailed and site-specific evaluation is recommended for construction of major
structures and lifelines, such as borehole drilling and auxiliary geophysical surveys. The
results reflected in the maps may be used as preliminary data and may be augmented
by detailed study or through other conventional survey methods.

References

• Cassaro, M. A., and Romero, E. M. (1986). The Mexico earthquakes 1985: factors involved and lesson learned. Proceedings of the International Conference, Mexico
City, September 1986. American Society of Civil Engineers
• MGB, Mines and Geosciences Bureau [Cartographer]. (2021). Geologic Map of Butuan City - Compilation of Quadrangle Maps from 1998 [Map]. 1:45,000. Version 1.
Quezon City, Philippines: DOST-PHIVOLCS.
• MGB, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (2010). Geology of the Philippines (2nd Edition).
• Okada, H. (2003). The Microtremor Survey Method, Geophysical Monograph Series. Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
• NEHRP, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (1994). Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings: Part I – Provisions, FEMA 222A,
Federal Agency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.
• Perez, J. S., Tsutsumi, H., Cahulogan, M. T., Cabanlit, D. P., Abigania, M. I., and Nakata, T. (2015). Fault Distribution, Segmentation and Earthquake Generation
Potential of the Philippine Fault in Eastern Mindanao, Philippines. Journal of Disaster Research. 10(1), 74-82
• Perez, J. S., and Tsutsumi, H. (2017). Tectonic geomorphology and paleoseismology of the Surigao Segment of the Philippine fault in northeastern Mindanao Island,
Philippines. Tectonophysics. 699(2017), 244-257. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2017.02.001 
• PHIVOLCS, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology [Cartographer]. (2020). Distribution of Active Faults and Trenches in Region XIII [Map]. Quezon City,
Philippines: DOST-PHIVOLCS.
• PHIVOLCS, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology [Cartographer]. (2021). Distribution of Active Faults and Trenches in the Philippines [Map]. Quezon City,
Philippines: DOST-PHIVOLCS.
• PHIVOLCS, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology [Cartographer]. (2021). Peak Ground Acceleration Map of Butuan City [Map]. 1:45,000. Version 1.
Quezon City, Philippines: DOST-PHIVOLCS.
• Philippine Statistics Authority (2021). Highlights of the Region XIII (Caraga) Population 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH). Accessed on: September
2021. Retrieved from: https://psa.gov.ph/population-and-housing/node/165008
• Ranneft, T. S. M., Hopkins, R. M., Froehlich, A. J., and Gwinn, J. W. (1960). Reconnaissance Geology and Oil Possibilities of Mindanao. Bulletin of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists, 44(5), 529-569
• Tamesis, E. V. (1981). Hydrocarbon potential of Philippine Basins. Energy, 6(11), 1179–1206. doi:10.1016/0360-5442(81)90032-3
• Tsutsumi, H., and Perez, J. S. (2013). Large-scale active fault map of the Philippine fault based on aerial photograph interpretation. Active Fault Research, 39, 29-37
• Wald, D. J., and Allen, T. I. (2007). Topographic Slope as a Proxy for Seismic Site Conditions and Amplification. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 97(5),
1379-1395. doi:10.1785/0120060267

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 Survey Methods

B8-Center

B8-A B8-B B8-C B8-D

B8-E B8-F B8-G B8-H

B8-I B8-J B8-K B8-L

Microtremor Array Measurements

Plotted Microtremor Array Measurement sites and actual survey photos

Three-Component Microtremor Survey Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) Survey

3-Channel OYO McSEIS MT-NEO Seismometer properly coupled to the ground Actual ReMi survey being conducted by the project members in the field

Project Leader: Technical Reviewers:

Rhommel N. Grutas Maria Isabel T. Abigania
Teresito C. Bacolcol
Project Members: Mabelline T. Cahulogan
Hans Jake F. Felosopo Arturo S. Daag
Jenth P. Dales Ishmael C. Narag
Abellardo C. Pabayo, Jr. Jeffrey S. Perez
Andre Dastine A. Gomez Joan C. Salcedo
Paul Albert Frederick P. Castillo Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
Miguel Antonio T. Magandi Ma. Mylene M. Villegas
Maeben Mariah V. Angay
Angelica G. Olaes
Mary Wenzel A. Andaya

10
Several Destructive Earthquakes in Mindanao, Philippines

15 December 2019 Magnitude 6.9 Davao del Sur Earthquake

DOST-PHIVOLCS DOST-PHIVOLCS
A reinforced three-storey commercial building in A two-storey house in Brgy. Poblacion, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur
Brgy. Poblacion, Padada, Davao del Sur had a pancake collapse. damaged due to ground shaking.

October 2019 Cotabato Earthquake Events

DOST-PHIVOLCS DOST-PHIVOLCS
Eva’s Building in Kidapawan City, Cotabato damaged Daig Elementary School in Tulunan, Cotabato collapsed
during the 31 October 2019 M6.5 earthquake event. during the 29 October 2019 M6.6 earthquake event.

10 February 2017 Magnitude 6.7 Surigao del Norte Earthquake

DOST-PHIVOLCS DOST-PHIVOLCS
Collapsed Anao-aon Bridge in San Francisco, Surigao del Norte. Damaged San Nicolas High School in San Francisco, Surigao del Norte.
BUTUAN CITY
SITE
RESPONSE
ATLAS

Department of Science and Technology

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY
PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Campus
Diliman, Quezon City 1101

Tel. Nos.: +63 2 8426-1468 to 79; +63 2 8926-2611

Fax No.: +63 2 8929-8366; +63 2 8928-3757

https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph