Ongoing Projects
PHASS Project 1: Seismic Hazard Assessment and Paleoseismology of Earthquake Sources in Northern Luzon, Philippines (SHAPES)
April 2025-March 2028
PHASS Project 2: Seismic Scanning of Active Philippine Fault Splays for Marine Geohazards (SeiScan)
January 2025-2028
PHASS Project 3: 3D Geophysical Mapping of the Southern Luzon Arc Crust and Geohazard Implications (ARC3D)
April 2025-March 2028
From Source Terrains to Basin Evolution (STroBE): Geologic Evolution and Paleoclimate Studies in the northern Cagayan Valley sub-basin
February 2025-January 2027
LIGTAS-AGAD Project 1: Integrating Real-Time Monitoring and Remote Sensing for Enhanced Onshore Landslide Mechanism Analysis and Forecasting in
Hazard-Prone Terranes
October 2024-September 2027
Marine and Onshore Geophysical Investigations of the Manila
Subduction Zone (MOGI)
November 2020-2023
Growth of an Island Arc (GAIA) Project 1: Evolution of the Luzon Arc: From Igneous to Sedimentary Processes
January 2021-2024
Growth of an Island Arc (GAIA) Project 2: Tectonic Consequences of Subduction in Northern Luzon
January 2021-2024
Landslide Investigations on Geohazards for Timely Advisories in the Philippines (LIGTAS)
January 2021-December 2023
Philippine Mining at the National to Catchment Scale: From Legacy Impacts to Sustainable Futures (PAMANA)
January 2022-December 2024
Two Ophiolites in Palawan? Constraints from Petrological, Geochemical, and Geochronological Signatures
January 2022-June 2023
Pressure-temperature-deformation-time
(P-T-D-t) history and petrogenesis of
Romblon metamorphic rocks:
Implications for the western Philippine
arc-continent collision zone
January 2023-January 2025
PHASS Project 1: Seismic Hazard Assessment and Paleoseismology of Earthquake Sources in Northern Luzon, Philippines (SHAPES)
The program “Paleoseismology and Hazard Assessment of Seismogenic Sources in Northern Luzon, Philippines (PHASS)” is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office–Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO–TECO) Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon, and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative. This program seeks to investigate both surface and subsurface structures shaped by active deformation in Northern and Southern Luzon, with the goal of developing region-specific seismic hazard assessment models for key seismogenic sources. To achieve this, PHASS refines the characteristics of faults in Northern Luzon and builds a comprehensive database of seismogenic sources and their risk potential. It also develops site-specific seismic hazard assessment models using new geological information, improves imaging of both known and previously unmapped faults and structures in Southern Luzon, and integrates new geophysical datasets to better evaluate the vulnerabilities of coastal, marine, and submarine environments to potential geologic hazards.
Project 1 aims to identify the seismic potential of faults in the Northern Luzon Area through seismic hazard assessment and paleoseismology studies. The project will focus on creating a comprehensive database of fault data, and constructing seismic hazard models for different scenarios of ground shaking.
This project is led by Dr. Noelynna T. Ramos.
PHASS Project 2: Seismic Scanning of Active Philippine Fault Splays for Marine Geohazards (SeiScan)
The program “Paleoseismology and Hazard Assessment of Seismogenic Sources in Northern Luzon, Philippines (PHASS)” is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office–Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO–TECO) Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon, and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative. This program seeks to investigate both surface and subsurface structures shaped by active deformation in Northern and Southern Luzon, with the goal of developing region-specific seismic hazard assessment models for key seismogenic sources. To achieve this, PHASS refines the characteristics of faults in Northern Luzon and builds a comprehensive database of seismogenic sources and their risk potential. It also develops site-specific seismic hazard assessment models using new geological information, improves imaging of both known and previously unmapped faults and structures in Southern Luzon, and integrates new geophysical datasets to better evaluate the vulnerabilities of coastal, marine, and submarine environments to potential geologic hazards.
Project 2 aims to provide better delineation of faults within Southern Luzon and possibly identify previously unmapped structures within the area via higher resolution seismic imaging and interpretation. This project focuses on creating a comprehensive seismic database and producing fault models to assess the region’s marine, submarine, and coastal geohazards.
This project is led by Dr. Leo T. Armada.
PHASS Project 3: 3D Geophysical Mapping of the Southern Luzon Arc Crust and Geohazard Implications (ARC3D)
The program “Paleoseismology and Hazard Assessment of Seismogenic Sources in Northern Luzon, Philippines (PHASS)” is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office–Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO–TECO) Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon, and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative. This program seeks to investigate both surface and subsurface structures shaped by active deformation in Northern and Southern Luzon, with the goal of developing region-specific seismic hazard assessment models for key seismogenic sources. To achieve this, PHASS refines the characteristics of faults in Northern Luzon and builds a comprehensive database of seismogenic sources and their risk potential. It also develops site-specific seismic hazard assessment models using new geological information, improves imaging of both known and previously unmapped faults and structures in Southern Luzon, and integrates new geophysical datasets to better evaluate the vulnerabilities of coastal, marine, and submarine environments to potential geologic hazards.
Project 3 seeks to generate new images of the Verde Passage Fault, Sibuyan Sea Fault, and other unmapped faults and structures across the Batangas-Mindoro-Marinduque, both onshore and offshore, using newly acquired gravity and magnetic data. The results will be utilized to re-assess the region’s vulnerability to potential geologic hazards.
This project is led by Dr. Carla B. Dimalanta and implemented with Dr. Gabriel Theophilus V. Valera.
From Source Terrains to Basin Evolution (STroBE): Geologic Evolution and Paleoclimate Studies in the northern Cagayan Valley sub-basin
This is a DOST‐funded project under the Manila Economic and Cultural Office - Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO-TECO) Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative. Our project aims to determine the provenance, depositional history, and paleoclimate signatures preserved in the sedimentary record of the northern Cagayan Valley sub-basin. Through fieldwork, mapping, and systematic sample collection, combined with igneous and sedimentary petrography, major‐ and trace‐element geochemistry, paleontological dating, and detrital zircon geochronology, STroBE will define sediment sources, reconstruct past environmental conditions, and date volcanic pulses that fed sediment influx from nearby volcanic centers.
Positioned at the northern margin of the Philippines’ largest sedimentary basin, STroBE addresses a critical gap in our understanding of Cagayan Valley evolution. New datasets on fossil assemblages, geochemical fingerprints, and zircon age spectra will identify episodes of ophiolite exhumation, arc magmatism, and climatic shifts. The findings will not only refine regional tectono-stratigraphic models but also guide identification of geotourism locales, inform sustainable agricultural and groundwater planning, and support flood‐risk management and environmental monitoring across this agriculturally vital landscape.
The project is led by Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio and implemented with Dr. Betchaida D. Payot.
LIGTAS-AGAD Project 1: Integrating Real-Time Monitoring and Remote Sensing for Enhanced Onshore Landslide Mechanism Analysis and Forecasting in Hazard-Prone Terranes
This is one of the project components of the DOST-funded research program titled Landslide Investigations for Geohazards Preparedness and Timely Advisories in the Philippines: Advanced Geospatial Approaches for DRRM (LIGTAS-AGAD) under the Manila Economic and Cultural Office – Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO-TECO) Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative.
Our project aims to enhance our understanding of the physical controls of landslide occurrences using combined remote sensing and on-site data-gathering techniques.
The project is led by Dr. Jenielyn T. Padrones (IRNR-CFNR) and the Program Leader is Dr. Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava (SESAM).
MOGI Year 3
This DOST-funded project under the Manila Economic and Cultural Office – Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (MECO-TECO) Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative aims to collect offshore and onshore geophysical data to delineate large-scale tectonic features offshore western Luzon as well as in some onshore parts of Luzon Island. The research results will be used to look into geologic hazards, such as potential large-scale magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis, within the Manila Trench region.
The project generated new gravity and magnetic data in the Ilocos and Kalinga regions. For the Manila Trench region, new marine magnetic and seismic data along with new subbottom profiles were acquired during the marine scientific researches carried out in 2022 and 2023. The processed geophysical data was used to delineate faults that reflect several episodes of faulting in offshore western Luzon.
GAIA Project 1 Year 3
The “Growth of an Island Arc (GAIA): Tectonic Consequences and Human Impacts” is a research program funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the MECO-TECO Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative. The two projects under this program focus on the petrological, geochemical, and structural evolution of the Luzon Arc in the Northern Luzon Segment. The program also complements ongoing onshore geophysical surveys by generating onshore geological data to characterize the Northern Luzon Segment vis-à-vis the other segments of the Luzon Arc.
Project 1 aims to unravel the geodynamic history of the Northern Luzon Segment, from its incipient magmatic evolution to its exhumation, through detailed geologic, petrological, and geochemical studies on both the igneous and sedimentary units constituting it.
GAIA Project 2 Year 3
The “Growth of an Island Arc (GAIA): Tectonic Consequences and Human Impacts” is a research program funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the MECO-TECO Volcano, Ocean, Typhoon and Earthquake (VOTE) Initiative. The two projects under this program focus on the petrological, geochemical, and structural evolution of the Luzon Arc in the Northern Luzon Segment. The program also complements ongoing onshore geophysical surveys by generating onshore geological data to characterize the Northern Luzon Segment vis-à-vis the other segments of the Luzon Arc.
Project 2 aims to unfold the geodynamic history of the Northern Luzon Segment through paleomagnetic and paleoseismic studies. The project will focus on identifying and examining the active strain deformation of the Northern Luzon Segment brought about by the evolution of the Luzon Arc.
LIGTAS
This project is headed by the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) of the University of the Philippines - Los Baños (UPLB) in partnership with different organizations which aims to produce site-specific rainfall-landslide thresholds for the volcanic and mineral-rich areas in the Southern Tagalog region and Benguet province. These thresholds will serve as the foundation for creating tailored and semi-quantitative early warning systems.
More information about the project can be found on the project website through the following link.
PAMANA
This is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in the United Kingdom and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines. It is led by the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom and the University of the Philippines - Los Baños, in collaboration with six additional universities and various organizations. The primary goal of this program is to oversee and assess the environmental and ecological consequences of mining in the river systems of the Philippines, with the ultimate objective of promoting sustainable mining practices.
More information about the project can be found on the project website through the following link.
Green Tech Project 1: Removal and Stabilization of Arsenic Gold and Copper Ores Using Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Solvents
This project seeks to investigate the behavior and distribution of arsenic in gold and copper deposits and apply an economic and eco-efficient technology that will seperate the arsenic minerals from the ore/concentrate and transform them into environmentally benign from for safe disposal
Green Tech Project 2: Innovative Technology for Refractory Gold Extraction Using Deep Eutectic Solvent
This project seeks to invesigate the mineralogy of refractory gold ore resources and adapt an economic and eco-efficient process of extracting gold from refractory ores
Green Tech Project 3: Rare Earth Elements in Bauxite: Characterization and Extraction of a Potential Resource
This project seeks to investigate the REE enrichment and extraction potential of bauxite deposits by analyzing the geochemical and mineralogical properties of the parent rocks and bauxite phases as well as determining the practicable treatment approach
Pressure-temperature-deformation-time (P-T-D-t) history and petrogenesis of Romblon metamorphic rocks: Implications for the western Philippine arc-continent collision zone
This is a UP System-funded Balik-PhD research project of Dr. Gabriel Theophilus V. Valera which is administered and monitored by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This project aims to constrain the pressure-temperature-deformation-time (P-T-D-t) history and petrogenesis of the metamorphic rocks exposed in the Romblon Island Group (RIG).
Field campaigns were carried out in January and July 2023 to map out the extent and distribution of metamorphic rocks as well as collect samples for laboratory analyses. Petrographic analyses and back-scattered electron imaging of the samples are currently being undertaken.
Several conferences were also attended by the research group to present the initial results. These include the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences (JAMS 2023) and NIGSCON 2023.
Two Ophiolites in Palawan? Constraints from Petrological, Geochemical, and Geochronological Signatures
This recently concluded project was funded by the Department of Science and Technology - National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST). Its main objective is to compare and contrast the lithologies comprising the two identified ophiolites in Palawan: the Eocene Central Palawan Ophiolite (CPO) and the Cretaceous Southern Palawan Ophiolite (SPO). Field campaigns conducted in 2022 and 2023 focused on the volcanic rocks exposed in Quezon, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, and Balabac in southern Palawan. Petrographic and geochemical analyses of collected volcanic rock samples confirm the presence of MORB-like tholeiitic, boninitic, and alkalic rocks in the SPO. The presence of alkalic intrusive rocks in the SPO was also ascertained. The results of the project were presented by the project’s staff at local research conferences. These include GeoCon 2022 and NIGSCON 2023.