Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
DIVISION OF PAMPANGA
EASTERN PORAC NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Manibaug, Libutad Porac Pampanga

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET IN DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION Q2 W1

GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS
After going through this lesson, you are expected to:
1. Understand what a Rainfall-induced Landslide and sinkhole is.
2. Describe in his/her own words the definition of a landslide and a sinkhole.
3. Explain the different types of landslides and sinkholes.
4. Produce a poster or a slogan regarding Landslide and Sinkhole.
5. Realize the importance of creating warning signs for the safety of living creatures and mankind.

Geological hazards are natural phenomena that cause major problems around the world. The
expansion and development of cities has led to an increase in impact and damage due to geological hazards.
In general, most of the geological hazards are related to natural conditions, although some may be due to
human activities. While landslides come in various names such as mudslide, flash flood, avalanche, etc. The
actual difference is in their composition provided that there is an inclined terrain. Sinkholes, on the other
hand, can occur on elevated or flat surfaces and can range from massive to barely noticeable which may
leave a dent, a hole, or a body of water on the ground.

Landslides
A landslide is a ground movement on a sloping terrain. It does not happen on flat ground because of
the angle on the ground, gravity induces the land to move downward. It is aggravated by rain because water
is a natural agent for erosion. If rain or any source of water frequently flows down a sloping area, the
gravitational descent of loosened soil makes it possible for landslide to occur.
Structures that are built on steep-slope mountains have a high vulnerability to landslide hazards
especially during heavy rains. Areas with: steep slope, dense population and denuded terrain are
distinguished by a high susceptibility to rainfall-induced landslide hazards. Long or regular rain may saturate
the topsoil and the bedrock, weakening the soil base of buildings or structures. Without plants and trees
whose roots can absorb water and hold the soil together, subsequent rain water can continue to loosen up
the soil that anchors the buildings. A heavy downpour of rain can quickly destroy these buildings and
communities, giving way to landslides, mudslides, or mudflows.

Types of Landslide
1. Soil Creep Landslide is a very slow downslope movement of particles that occurs in every slope covered
with loose, weathered material.
2.Slumping Landslide is a downward movement of rock debris, usually the consequence of removal of
buttressing earth at the foot of a slope of unconsolidated material.
3. Debris Flow Landslide happens when the slope becomes saturated with water, this then triggers a
landslide of water-soaked mass of rock and soil that slides down the slope.
4. Rock Fall landslides are sudden slides caused by heavy rain the rock on the slope loosens and then
slides down the slope.

Sinkholes
A sinkhole is a topographic depression created when groundwater dissolves the underlying limestone
bedrock. Often known as "sink" or "doline,".
Characteristics:
 occur in areas where the soil foundation is made of soft minerals and rocks such as limestone, salt beds,
or any acidic rocks.
 The depth of sinkholes ranges from a couple of meters to several mile deep.

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How it occurs: Water from the rainfall seeps underneath the soil through the cracks and fissures. As water
passes through these cracks and fissures, it erodes the soil and forms a conduit system, these underground
water systems increase in size as the soil is carried by the water through internal erosion. This can either
form a void filled with air with an underground drainage. If the void is clogged with clay, then it forms a
depression which then accumulates water and forms a pond. Otherwise it forms a hole once the cover
collapses into the void which can be either filled with air or water.

Types of Sinkholes
There are three main types of sinkholes, according to the geologist, but there is an additional category,
the artificial sinkholes which are caused by human activity.
1. Cover Collapse Sinkhole It develops suddenly (over an hour period) thus, causing catastrophic damage.
2. Cover Subsidence Sinkhole It gradually grows where the sediment covers are permeable and contain
sand.
3. Dissolution Sinkhole It occurs in areas where calcareous is exposed on the ground or where thin layers
of soil and permeable sand are also covered. Limestone or dolomite dissolution is most intense when the
water first reaches the rock surface.
4. Artificial Sinkhole Such types of sinks may be caused by various human activities, including groundwater
pumping and building.

ACTIVITY 1 True or False

Write “TRUE” if the statement is correct about landslides and sinkhole and “FALSE” if the statement is wrong.
1. Depressions on the ground that resulted from the collapse
2. An avalanche is a landslide.
3. Landslides only occur in inclined areas.
4. Landslides that have hardly noticeable damage due to slow movement are soil creep.
5. Soil creep is faster than slumping.
6. Sinkholes form in sedimentary rock deposits.
7. Water is a natural agent of erosion.
8. Cover-subsidence sinkholes can be undetected for long periods.
of the surface layer of the soil is called a sinkhole.
9. Rock fall landslides are made of water saturated soil.
10. Holes are the only byproduct of a sinkhole.

CAUSES OF OTHER RELATED GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:
1. Define the causes of a landslide and a sinkhole.
2. Explain the causes of a landslide and a sinkhole
3. Accurately conclude the causes and their respective geological hazard outcome.
4. Appreciate the importance of knowing the causes of different geological hazards.

There are different causes of landslide and sinkhole. Any of the triggers are only caused by a
triggering element. A landslide can be caused by a natural or mechanical factor / human. Natural causes of
landslides can be due to Climate, Earthquakes, Weathering, Flooding, Volcanic Activity, Forest Fires and
Gravity while Humans triggered landslides triggered by mining or clear cutting of trees.
In this lesson, we will discuss the causes of geological hazards such as landslides and sinkholes.
Types of landslide will also be addressed with you so that you will be able to determine the various effects of
rainfall-induced landslides and so that you will be able to determine the soil or soil response in such a
situation. It is crucial that you know the various cause of landslide so that you can also process the interaction
of these causes with each other in mind.

CAUSES OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS

1. LANDSLIDE
NATURAL CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
– Climate
– Earthquakes

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– Weathering
– Erosion
– Volcanic eruption
– Forest fires
– Gravity

HUMAN CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES

– Mining
– Clear cutting

Rainfall-Induced landslides are the most common and widespread damaging landslides in the
Philippines, with an average of 20 typhoons each year due to prolonged or heavy rainfall. Most
rainfall induced landslides are shallow (less than a few meters deep), thin, and move quickly.
Rainfall can be a cause for landslides, but soil conditions are also very critical. Researchers wanted
to take into account a number of variables, including weather type, soil type and land-cover characteristics.
However, there was no single source for the data they needed.
The features of precipitation occurrences, including the accumulated volume of rainfall, length and
severity, and the slope of the terrain show the greatest effect on the stability of the slope and the rate of
occurrence of landslides and debris. In addition, the precipitation-induced landslide depends on the type of
land covered and the type of soil. In short, the cause of rainfall-induced landslides still rely on the factors
mentioned.

2. SINKHOLE
NATURAL CAUSES OF SINKHOLE
– Dissolution of sedimentary rocks
HUMAN CAUSES OF SINKHOLE
– Underground water pumping

SIGNS OF OTHER RELATED GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:
1. Recognize signs of impending geologic hazards; and
2. Explain the mechanism underlying each of the common signs.
3. Appreciate the importance of knowing different geological hazards.

SIGNS OF IMPENDING LANDSLIDE OR SINKHOLE

Signs of impending landslides and sinkholes are observed on man-made infrastructures, bodies of
water and vegetation. This list does not cover every possible indication of an impending landslide, nor does
anything on this list trigger a landslide immediately. It contains warning signs that are listed to help people
recognize when it’s time to hire an expert to assess a slope’s stability, or to make people more aware that
something is wrong.

WARNING SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING LANDSLIDE

1. Earlier landslide as indicator
 If there’s frequent occurrence of landslides in a section, it implies that the soil in this area is weak and
has unstable geology; thus,more susceptible to landslides. This may be caused by lack of vegetation,
weathering, erosion, etc.
 Multiple landslide events within the same place are retrogressive, piecemeal, or reactivated.
 A reactivated landslide is when an old, semi-stable landslide changed something, causing a new collapse
at the same place.
 Inspecting an area of an old landslide for scarps and deposits is a clear indicator that a landslide will
reactivate. This is also a sure sign that much of the region's underlying geology is fragile and vulnerable
to landslides.

2. Tension cracks
 These are caused by the stress and friction produced by geologic materials moving apart which forms
steep lines of cracks in the terrain.

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 Tension cracks above an existing landslide can hint at a future reactivation.
 These cracks are located on higher elevated ground.
 Cracks that are found on flat terrain are caused by fault movement and not landslide indicators.

3. Things Moving
 Deformation and movement of non-living objects not caused by human manipulation can also indicate a
landslide.
 The most common of these is that trees are bending up in a J-curve as a sign that the ground slips out
from underneath them.
 A patch of angled forest on a slope or J-curved trees somewhere can be a good indicator that the ground
is less solid than it seems.
 no longer closing properly, or broken utilities.
 This motion can be slow or rapid. Rapid landslides are results of sudden collapse of a slope. This happens
in terrains that are steeper uphill. Whereas, indicators of slow landslides are categorized by movement
of floor tiles, deformation of door frames which causes difficulty in closing and opening the door, and
broken electric posts, gas, water and sewage pipes.
 Creaking and cracking can also be warning signs.

4. Water Doing Something Different

 Changes in water flow.
 Springs, seep, or wet ground may appear on a seemingly dry terrain. Similarly, unexpected withdrawal of
water also indicates the same. Water causes alteration of the pressure within the slopes of a terrain.
 A debris flow is a very wet, very mobile landslide, where water is loaded with trees, mud, rock, and
everything else caught in the current. Low water level precedes the arrival of the debris flow surge.

WARNING SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING SINKHOLE

The occurrence of sinkholes and landslides may have something in common because they are both
geologic hazards. Here are some signs of an impending sinkhole.
 Trees or fence posts that tilt or fall
 Foundations that slant
 New small ponds that appear after rain
 Cracks in the ground
 Sudden drainage of a pond
 Rapid appearance of a hole in the ground
 Dips, depressions, slopes that appear in a yard
 Dead patches of grass or plants
 Sinkholes in the neighborhood
 Wilted vegetation in a limited area
 Well water that is discolored or contaminated with debris
 Cracking or buckling of home’s concrete slab
 Presence of odd bugs like slugs, centipedes in homes
 Earthly odor in home after rain
 New or widening cracks
 Separation between walls and ceiling or floors
 Cracks around door and window frames
 Cracked grout between tiles
 Cracked tiles
 Stair step cracks in blocks or bricks
 Uneven floors, warping of hardwood, bulging or sagging sections
 Doors or windows that don’t open or close easily
 Cracks in sheetrock near doors or windows
All homes are subject to some settling characteristics. Signs of an impending geologic hazard may or
may not always cause a landslide or a sinkhole but the presence of two or more of these signs may indicate
that there is something wrong happening in the area which alerts people to be cautious and careful for
possible dangers that it may cause.

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ASSESSMENT
I. Read each item comprehensively and write the letter of the correct answer in your portfolio.
1. Which of the following occurs in areas where limestone is exposed at land surface?
a. artificial b. dissolution c. cover subsidence d. cover collapse
2. What type of landslide has a very slow movement which is hardly noticeable?
a. debris flow b. rock fall c. slumping d. soil creep
3. What type of sinkhole develops gradually where the covering sediments are permeable and contain sand?
a. artificial b. cover subsidence c. cover collapse d. dissolution
4. Which of the following characteristics of a rock is essential in order to produce a sinkhole?
a. dense b. hard c. lustrous d. soluble
5. Which of the following pertains to a sudden slide of rocks downslope?
a. rock fall b. rock stead c. rock failure d. rock slip
6. This is a depression in the ground that resulted from the collapse of the surface layer of the soil.
a. earthquake b. landslide c. sinkhole d. tsunami
7. Which of the following is a natural agent of erosion which flows and loosens the soil?
a. butane b. air c. water d. alcohol
8. Which of the following is a natural cause of landslide?
a. clear cutting b. mining c. cultivation d. liquefaction
9. Which of the following is not an effect of landslides?
a. earthquake b. tsunami c. death d. depopulation
10. Which of the following can cause dissolution sinkholes?
a. exposed carbonate rock
b. dissolved igneous rock
c. narrowing wetlands
d. wilted vegetation
11. These are tectonic plate movements that cause the soil covering in steep slopes to slip leading to
landslides.
a. climate b. sunlight c. earthquake d. weathering
12. Which of the following is not a natural cause of landslides?
a. climate b. cross cutting c. erosion d. weathering
13. Ground water pumping is an artificial cause of sinkholes, how does it contribute to the formation of a
sinkhole?
a. It transfers the water upward.
b. It dissolves acidic water to the soil.
c. It creates new water diversion systems.
d. It carries the water further downstream.
14. Which of the following is NOT a sign of slow shifting inside structures?
a. creaking and cracking
b. tilting of floor
c. doors not closing properly
d. swaying hanging objects
15. Which of the following is NOT a sign of an impending landslide?
a. things moving
b. tension cracks
c. change in water flow
d. discolored well water

II. INCREASE or DECREASE. Determine the correct relationship between the statements
below by choosing the best answer inside the parentheses.
1. The presence of more plants (increases, decreases) the vulnerability of an area to landslides.
2. The decrease in size of the void underneath the ground (increases, decreases) the size of the sinkhole.
3. Heat during a wild fire (increases, decreases) the hydrophobic capacity of the soil.
4. Damp soil (increases, decreases) the surface tension of the particles.
5. A broken water pipe underneath a residential area can (increase, decrease) internal erosion.
6. Earthquake on an uphill area (increases, decreases) exposure to landslides.
7. High and frequent rainfall (increases, decreases) the occurrence of a geologic hazard.
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8. Extremely dry weather can (increase, decrease) the occurrence of sinkholes.
9. The presence of clay (increases, decreases) the occurrence of a landslide.
10.Water saturated soil (increases, decreases) pore spaces between the soil particles.

PERFORMANCE TASK NO. 1

Materials needed:
 Long bond paper
 Pen/pencil
 Any coloring materials
Instruction:
We have already studied the definition, causes and signs of an impending landslide. But do we already know
how to prepare and act before, during and after its occurrence? That will be your task for this week. Do a
research on what to do before, during and after a landslide. Illustrate the steps on a long bond paper. Be
creative in doing your output. (NO PRINTING OF OUTPUT!)

Sample Output

Prepared by
Rachel Gail Arghie Buan Yosuico

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