Geoenvironmental Engineering

Kaniraj Shenbaga
University Malaysia Sarawak

Course Learning Objective 1

By the end of this course, students should be

able to select sustainable mitigation measures
considering the multi-disciplinary nature of the
problem and social, cultural and economic
aspects.

Hazard Mapping

What is Hazard Mapping?

Hazard mapping or zoning is demarcating the areas

on a map according to their levels of risk with
respect to a single hazard (e.g. landslides risk map)
or multiple hazards (e.g. flood and landslides risk
map).
Hazard mapping is a pre-disaster activity.
Hazard mapping is a useful tool in risk management,
particularly for disaster mitigation.

Types of Hazard Map

Resident-educating type map

Administrative information type map

Resident-Educating Type Map

Main objective is to inform the residents

living within the area of the risk of danger.
Information on areas of danger or places of
safety and the basic knowledge on disaster
prevention are given to residents.
Such information should be presented in an
understandable form.

Administrative Information Type Map

Administrative agencies use the maps to

provide disaster prevention services.
These hazard maps can be used to establish a
warning system and the evacuation system, as
well as evidence for land use regulations.
The maps may also be used in preventive
works.

Uses of Hazard Mapping

Often used in land use planning.

Used in planning disaster mitigation measures
Structural measures: Provide pile foundations in
liquefaction zones; Construct dykes in flood plains;
Build earthquake resistant buildings
Non-structural measures: Develop land use policies;
Relocate structures

Structural Measures

A structural measures is:

Any physical construction to reduce or
avoid possible impacts of hazards
Application of engineering techniques to
achieve hazard-resistance and resilience in
structures or systems
http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/terminology/v.php?id=505

Structural Measures

Common structural measures for disaster risk

reduction include:
Dams
Flood levies
Ocean wave barriers
Earthquake-resistant construction
Evacuation shelters

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/terminology/v.php?id=505

Flood Hazard

http://www.water.gov.my/our-services-mainmenu-252/flood-mitigation-mainmenu-323/programme-aamp-activities-mainmenu-199?lang=en&showall=1

Nonstructural Measures

A nonstructural measures is:

Any measure not involving physical construction that
uses knowledge
Practice or agreement to reduce risks and impacts, in
particular through policies and laws
Public awareness raising
Training
Education

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/terminology/v.php?id=505

Nonstructural Measures

Common nonstructural measures include:

Building codes
Land use planning laws and their enforcement
Research and assessment
Information resources
Public awareness programmes.

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/terminology/v.php?id=505

Flood Hazard

http://www.water.gov.my/our-services-mainmenu-252/flood-mitigation-mainmenu-323/programme-aamp-activities-mainmenu-199?lang=en&showall=1

Hazard Intensity Scale for

Earthquakes

Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale

MMI is composed of 12 increasing levels of intensity that range

from imperceptible shaking to catastrophic destruction.
MMI is designated by Roman numerals (I to XII).
Lower numbers of the MMI scale (I to VI) are based on the
manner in which the earthquake is felt by people.
Higher numbers of the MMI scale (VII to XII) are based on
observed structural damage.
MMI does not have a mathematical basis. It is an arbitrary
ranking based on observed effects.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mercalli.php

MMI

I
II

III

1V

VI

Effect
Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable
conditions
Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of
buildings
Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper
floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize it as an
earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations
similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.
Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night,
some awakened. Dishes, Windows, doors disturbed; walls make
cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building.
Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.
Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows
broken. Unstable objects overturned. Pendulum clocks may stop.
Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few
instances of fallen plaster. Damage slight.

MMI

VII

VIII

IX

XI
XII

Effect
Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction;
slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable
damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some
chimneys broken.
Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable
damage in ordinary substantial buildings with partial collapse.
Damage great in poorly built structures. Fall of chimneys, factory
stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned.
Damage considerable in specially designed structures; welldesigned frame structures thrown out of plumb. Damage great in
substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off
foundations
Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and
frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent.
Few, if any (masonry) structures remain standing. Bridges
destroyed. Rails bent greatly.
Damage total. Lines of sight and level are distorted. Objects
thrown into the air.

Hazard Intensity Scale for

Storms, Hurricanes, Cyclones

Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating

based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed.
This scale estimates potential property damage.
Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are
considered major hurricanes because of their
potential for significant loss of life and damage.
Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however,
and require preventative measures.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

1 mph = 0.62 km/h = 1.15 knots/h

Category

Effect
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Wellconstructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles,
vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and
shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to
power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that
could last a few to several days.
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Wellconstructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding
damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or
uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is
expected with outages that could last from several days to
weeks.
Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may
incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends.
Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous
roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days
to weeks after the storm passes.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Category

Effect
Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can
sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure
and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or
uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power
poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks
to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for
weeks or months.
Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed
homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall
collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential
areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months.
Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Click the link below to watch the animation

of Saffir-Simpson scale. Choose Pause to
read the comments.
http://www.npr.org/news/specials/hurricane/ap/

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/animations/surgea.swf

Hazard Mapping Examples

http://www.google.com.my/im
gres?q=earthquake+zonation+i
ndia&num=10&hl=en&biw=128
0&bih=933&tbm=isch&tbnid=g
Udc0TerUdu65M:&imgrefurl=h
ttp://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/pls/
portal/url/page/GSI_STATIC/GSI
_STAT_PLATE_TECTONIC&doci
d=BHL4tXpSugc9kM&imgurl=h
ttp://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/ima
ges/GSIimages/PT_zonation.jpg
&w=700&h=799&ei=wMS8T4y
HHYbSrQfk7IHcDQ&zoom=1&ia
ct=hc&vpx=770&vpy=30&dur=3
239&hovh=240&hovw=210&tx=
111&ty=119&sig=1050722759560
81398225&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh
=141&tbnw=124&start=0&ndsp
=35&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:76

Philippines
Natural
Hazards
Risk Map

http://www.preventionweb.net/files/4179_O
CHAPHLHazardv1070308.pdf

http://www.preventionweb.net/files/3794_indo.pdf

Thailand
Natural
Hazards
Risk Map

http://www.preventionweb.net/files/4198_O
CHATHAHazardv1070330.pdf

Malaysia Flood Risk Map

Floods are the primary hazard affecting Malaysia, ranking in the top deciles for
most of the western half of the country. Landslides and droughts are also
significant though their effects are limited to much smaller areas in the eastern
regions. When weighted by mortality, landslides pose a large risk for the northeastern part of the country. The hazards affecting the western region are distinctly
different than those impacting the eastern areas. http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/chrr/research/profiles/malaysia.html

Malaysia Landslide Risk Map

Floods are the primary hazard affecting Malaysia, ranking in the top deciles for
most of the western half of the country. Landslides and droughts are also
significant though their effects are limited to much smaller areas in the eastern
regions. When weighted by mortality, landslides pose a large risk for the northeastern part of the country. The hazards affecting the western region are distinctly
different than those impacting the eastern areas. http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/chrr/research/profiles/malaysia.html

Malaysia Drought Risk Map

Floods are the primary hazard affecting Malaysia, ranking in the top deciles for
most of the western half of the country. Landslides and droughts are also
significant though their effects are limited to much smaller areas in the eastern
regions. When weighted by mortality, landslides pose a large risk for the northeastern part of the country. The hazards affecting the western region are distinctly
different than those impacting the eastern areas.
http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/chrr/research/profiles/malaysia.html

PGA with 2%
probability of
exceedance in
50 years

Adnan, et al (2005)

From a paper submitted to Pertanika JST

From a paper submitted to Pertanika JST

Get more hazard risk maps here.

http://ochaonline.un.org/roaptemp/MapCentr
e/HazardMaps/tabid/3725/Default.aspx
http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/chrr/research/
profiles/

Exercise

Using the given hazard risk maps, show the natural

hazards for each of the following cities in South-East
Asia in a tabular form.
Kuala Lumpur
Jakarta
Singapore
Manila
Bangkok

Exercise - Examples

City

Hazard

Details

Jakarta

Earthquake

MMI VII and above

Earthquake

MMI VIII and above

Manila
Storm

Category 3

Complete the Table for all cities.

Summary

Hazard mapping is a useful tool in risk

management.
Hazard mapping helps in disaster
mitigation planning through structural
and non-structural measures.

References

1.

2.

3.

4.
5.

Schramm, D. and Dries, R. (1986). Natural Hazards: Causes and Effects, Disaster
Management Center, University Of Wisconsin-Madison, U.S.A.
Guha-Sapir D, Vos F, Below R. and Ponserre S. Annual Disaster Statistical Review
2010: The Numbers and Trends. Brussels: CRED; 2011.
http://www.cred.be/sites/default/files/ADSR_2010.pdf
Coburn, A.W., Spence, R.J.S. and Pomonis, A. (1994). Disaster Mitigation,
Cambridge Architectural Limited, UNDP Disaster Management Training
Programme
Smith, K. Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster,
Routledge, 1996.
Adnan, A., Hendriyawan, Marto,A. and Irsyam, M. (2005). Seismic Hazard
Assessment For Peninsular Malaysia Using Gumbel Distribution Method, Jurnal
Teknologi, 42(B). 5773.