Two (2) geologists from the Marine Geological Survey Division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGSD-MGB), Ms. Faye Anne de Leon and Mr. Joshua Herras, were invited by the University of the Philippines - National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) to join the Marine Scientific Research (MSR) along the Manila Trench region on 03-24 March 2023. The cruise forms part of the DOST-funded research project titled: “Marine and Onshore Geophysical Investigations of the Manila Subduction Zone” with Dr. Carla Dimalanta of UP-NIGS and Prof. Shu-Kun Hsu of the National Central University as Project Leaders. This is one of the projects implemented under the Volcanoes, Oceans, Typhoons, and Earthquakes (VOTE) initiative co-funded by the Department of Science and Technology (Philippines) and the National Science and Technology Council (Taiwan). The MSR is aimed at examining large-scale tectonic features and their geohazard implications in offshore western Luzon. The MSR is also aimed at capacitating scientists from the MGSD-MGB, UP-NIGS, and from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) onboard the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute’s (TORI’s) R/V Legend.
The primary activities of the MSR included magnetic and seismic reflection surveys utilizing advanced marine magnetometer and seismic sparker systems, respectively; and the retrieval of Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) deployed during the previous MSR.
Apart from marine geophysical surveys, the participants were trained by the TORI on safety procedures and protocols on life at sea. This includes safety procedures in emergency cases such as fire protection and detection, and familiarization with life-saving appliances and arrangements on the vessel.
Ms. De Leon and Mr. Herras are masteral students at the University of the Philippines – National Institute of Geological Sciences on marine geology and geophysics.
By: Marine Geological Survey Division
Filipino scientists from MGSD-MGB (second and fourth from right), UP-NIGS, and PHIVOLCS together with the
scientists and technicians from the National Central University, Taiwan onboard the R/V Legend.
Retrieval of one of the Ocean Bottom Seismometers.