OTHER GEOLOGIC HAZARD

Bolide Impact
- Rare to happen
- Greatest threat to the existence of human race

Comet or Asteroid can be the cause of the extinction of dinosaurs and about
75 percent of animals and plants around 66 million years ago.

Effects of Bolide Impact:

● Earthquake
● Volcanic Eruption
● Tsunamis
● Wildfires
● Drastic change in climatic condition

- Rocks fragment from the impact site called EJECTA

- The depression excavated by the impactor is called IMPACT CRATER

Micrometeorites
- Very small meteorites
- Size: 50 micrometer to 2 millimeters
- The shooting stars we witness

Asteroids
- Large stony and/or metallic chunks which are confined in the region
between Mars and Jupiter, called the ASTEROID BELT
- CERES is the largest asteroid
Size: 3 kilometer in average diameter most likely 100 meters to 1 kilometer

Comets
- Combination of ICE, ROCK FRAGMENTS, AND DUST which come from
either OORT CLOUD which is 50,000 Astronomical Units away from the
sun or from KUIPER BELT of comets within the solar system.

Meteoroids
- STONY IRON, STONY IRON CHUNKS, also from the asteroid belt, that are
still traveling in the solar system that would become a METEOR if it
entered the earth’s atmosphere.

Meteorite
- If a small asteroid or large meteoroid survives its fiery passage through
the Earth’s atmosphere and lands on Earth;s surface, it is then called
METEORITE.
Effects of large impacts:

Acid rain
- Could result from the contamination of water vapor in the clouds by
nitrogen oxide, nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere are combined
during the shock created by the impact.
Drastic change in climatic conditions
- The prolonged suspension of dust in the atmosphere coming from the
disturbed rock may prevent isolation and cause an impact winter. Water
vapor on the other hand which may accumulate in large amount in the
atmosphere, if an impact happened in the ocean can cause a global
increase in temperature.

Wildfires
- Happens via radiation of the intense heat generated as the bolide
travels through the atmosphere. The smoke from such wildfires could
also add to the dust which are already preventing the isolation.

Tsunami
- Happens when a large impact takes place in the ocean. 1-3 km high
tsunamis more than enough to flood a significant portion of landmass
of the earth are projected for bolides with a 10km average diameter.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Ground Subsidence
- The relative lowering of the earth’s surface usually with respect to the
mean sea level.

Causes of Ground Subsidence:

● Excessive groundwater withdrawal is also a main cause of subsidence in
the Philippines, particularly in the CAMANAVA in Metro Manila.
● The pressure of the fluids filling up voids in permeable sedimentary
rocks supports the overlying rock layers and ground surface.
● Extraction of oil and natural gas, the withdrawal of this fluid is mainly
anthropogenic but can also be caused by natural processes such as by
out flow through springs.
● Earthquakes, aside from the relative subsidence measured on the
hanging wall of a normal fault or the footwall of a thrust or reverse fault,
another situation in which ground subsidence may occur is during
liquefaction which takes place in areas with fine grained sediments or
areas that were reclaimed.
● Underground mining methods, the area that subsides is usually only the
ground surface directly about the mined area.
● Isostatic rebound, the earth’s crust which is floating on the
asthenosphere reacts to the addition or removal of load on its surface. If
a large mass is removed through weathering and erosion or melting of
large ice sheet glaciers uplift takes place. On the other hand, areas
which receive large deposits of sediments like valleys and bodies of
water tend to become even lower in elevation.
● Change in season
Effects of Ground Subsidence:
● Agricultural Lands
● Industrial Processes
● Irrigation System
● Injuries and Fatalities

Ways to reduce the occurrence of Ground Subsidence:

● Finding alternative sources of groundwater
● Avoid building infrastructures near fissures
● Routing drainage system away from fissures
● Prohibiting residential zones near fissures
● Practice water conservation
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Coastal Erosion
- Natural process which shapes shorelines by the wearing away of coastal
land or beaches, mainly by the impact of waves along the shoreline.
- Rock fragments can be dislodged by high energy waves invading the
spaces in a fractured or cracked narrow strip of land projecting out into
the sea (headland). Sand particles and rock fragments carried by the
waves crashing into headlands accelerate the process.

Causes of Coastal Erosion:

● Current
● Tides
● Wind driven water
● Ice
● Rain water
● Ground water

Humans can also be considered as agents in speeding out the process in

intensifying the effects of coastal erosion:
● Removal of vegetation cover exposing sediment to the wind and water
action
● Concentration of drainage water flow into the sea causing erosion of
that part of the coast
● Contraction of structures including coastal erosion control structures
that interfere with the natural flow of coastal materials, causing erosion
in adjacent areas of the shore
● Building activities that damage natural protective features such as
vegetation cover
● Shipping and boating activities producing extra wave action
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Types of Rainfall-induced
● Landslide - also called “landslip”
● Sinkholes - depressions or holes on the ground
Fire Hazard

Fire
- A part of a very rapid and usually persistent chemical reaction called
OXIDATION

Oxidation - The combination of oxygen and other substances.

FIRE TETRAHEDRON - A triangular pyramid, is a visual aid that reminds us of

the four important ingredients required to initiate a fire. Removing at least one
of the ingredients can prevent or extinguish any fire.

Ingredients of FIRE:
● Heat
● Fuel
● Oxidizing Agent
● Uninhibited Chemical Reaction

Heat - Energy that flows from an object of high temperature to an object of low
temperature. Heat can be produced in many ways, both by man and by nature.
Early humans used friction between the surfaces of two objects, like sticks
being rubbed against each other, to convert kinetic energy to heat. There are 3
main ways in which heat can be transferred:
● Conduction - Involves direct contact of substances, typically solids for
heat to be transferred
● Convection - The flow of liquids and gasses in the transfer of heat
● Radiation - A manner of heat transfer that involves only electromagnetic
waves

Fuel - Any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that can be burned. For
combustion to take place, fuels must first be converted into the gaseous state
● Pyrolysis - Chemical decomposition of solid fuels
● Vaporization - Production of fuel gasses into liquid fuels

Oxidizing Agent - Oxygen in an element or compound which releases oxygen

or other oxidizers during a chemical reaction. Air typically contains
approximately 21% oxygen. It supports combustion when combined with a fuel.

Uninhibited Chemical Reaction - It is combustion or burning. When heat is

constantly being produced as a result of ongoing reactions. This is what
makes the fire self-sustaining.
LESSON 1: FIRE TRIANGLE

Oxygen
- The bulk of the Earth’s atmosphere is mainly composed of two gases:
79% of which is Nitrogen while 21% is Oxygen.
- When all the oxygen is used up, combustion will stop, and the fire will die.

Heat
- Is needed to increase a material’s temperature to its ignition
temperature, the lowest point of temperature where material can start to
ignite a fire.

Fuel
- Combustible materials such as wood, paper, gasoline, alcohol, methane,
and propane.
- Noncombustible materials such as wax cannot become a source of fuel
for a fire to start.

Remember:
● Fires cannot start if one of the three elements of fire is absent.
● Fuel can be in the form of solid, liquid, or gas.

LESSON 2: CAUSES OF FIRE

Faulty electrical wiring or connection

● The major cause of fire incidents in the Philippines stems from faulty
electrical wiring. Wires heat up because of the electrical current running
through them which, when exposed or overloaded, can start a fire.

LPG-related
● Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPGs) are highly flammable gases that can
be a source of fuel for fires. Defective tanks containing LPGs can have
gas leaks that may cause the tank to explode and ignite a fire.

Neglected cooking stove

● Leaving your stove or oven unattended can lead to fire disasters at
home especially if combustible materials are present near the cooking
area and get in contact with the fire from the stove. Oil splattering
outside the pan can also start a fire.

Cigarette butt
● Cigarette butts have also been a contributing factor to the fire incidents
around the Philippines. These are mainly dangerous when thrown over
areas with large amounts of flammable materials such as on farms and
forests.
Torch
● Fire torches are also a common cause of fire in the Philippines. They are
normally being used to set fire to forests and agriculture for kaingin.
Arsonists also use torches to set objects and structures ablaze.

Candle/gas lamps
● Candles left unattended can cause a fire. This happens in areas such as
houses, cemeteries, campsites, restaurants and office buildings where
candles are left near combustible materials.

Matchstick/lighter
● Matchsticks and lighters are potential fire hazards because they are
made up of combustible materials. Improper use, primarily by children,
of lighters and matchsticks can accidentally cause fire disasters.

Static electricity or direct flame contact

● Static electricity can create sparks that can ignite combustible
materials. This has happened in areas such as gasoline stations where a
static discharge can ignite the fuel being pumped into the car. Only a
few fire incidents have been related to static electricity and direct flame
contact.

Neglected electrical appliances or devices

● Electrical appliances such as the refrigerator, microwave, electric oven,
flat irons, and a washing machine can catch fire if improperly handled or
used. They can also cause a fire when these appliances are used even
when malfunctioning.

Electrical machineries
● Electrical machineries, similar to electrical appliances, can catch fire if
mishandled, misused, or is malfunctioning.

Chemicals
● Some chemicals used in laboratories, factories, and other industries are
highly flammable. If they are not stored and handled properly, they can
react to their environment and start a fire.

Incendiary device or ignited flammable liquid

● Incendiary devices are devices designed to cause fire. These include
devices such as Molotov cocktails, flamethrowers, and greek fire.

Spontaneous combustion
● Spontaneous combustion is the sudden ignition of organic material due
to the increased internal heat of the material. This happens in forests
when the weather is too dry and hot that organic materials, especially
dry plants, start to spontaneously combust and start a fire.
Pyrotechnics
● Pyrotechnic-related fires are caused by improper handling and storage
of fireworks. Malfunctioning fireworks can also cause an unwanted fire. A
high number of pyrotechnic-related fires happen during holiday
celebrations.

Bomb explosion
● Bomb explosions from warfares and terrorist attacks also generate fire
upon explosion. Added fire risk can happen if bombs explode on areas
with plenty of flammable materials.

Lightning
● Lightning can be an ignition source to start a fire. This happens when
lightning hits a flammable object on the surface of the Earth such as
trees.

Others
● Causes of fire not specified above are categorized as others by BFP. This
includes, but are not limited to, vehicular fire, children playing with fire,
holiday decorations, and household products.

Different fuel sources react to fire in different ways.

Classification Description

Class A Fires involving ordinary combustible materials that leaves

ash such as paper, wood, plastic, rubber, cloth, and trash.

Class B Fires involving combustible chemicals of liquid and gas such

as petroleum oil, gasoline, paint, propane, and butane.

Class C Fires involving energized electrical compounds such as

electrical appliances, motor equipment, and machines.

Class D Fires involving combustible metals such as potassium,

sodium, aluminum, magnesium, and titanium.

Class K Fires involving combustible household liquids such as

cooking oil, animal fat, and grease.
HYDROLOGICAL HAZARDS

LESSON 1: TYPHOON

A tropical cyclone is an organized, rotating system of clouds and

thunderstorms that initially form over tropical ocean waters. The exact same
phenomenon is called different names depending on where it originated.

Typhoons are formed over the northwest Pacific. In the Atlantic and the east
Pacific, the term hurricane is used, while in the Indian Ocean and south Pacific,
it is simply referred to as tropical cyclone.

Parts of a Typhoon:
The eye is the calmest portion of any storm and the point at which the winds
rotate. Winds converging toward the center are deflected by the Coriolis force,
which is a deflection caused by the rotation of the earth.

The strongest winds of a tropical cyclone (maximum sustained winds) are

located closest to the eye of the storm, in an area called the eyewall or wall
cloud.

Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale

In its weakest form, a tropical cyclone is called a tropical depression.
If the depression intensifies and attains sustained winds of 62 kilometers per
hour, it becomes a tropical storm.

LESSON 2: THUNDERSTORM

Convection is the key mechanism in thunderstorm formation.

The rising air is called updraft, while the downward moving air is called
downdraft.

While ionization occurs and plasma is being formed above, the objects on the
ground reach out to the clouds by growing finger-like electrical discharges
called streamers.

A single cell thunderstorm is a short-lived storm consisting of a single

updraft-downdraft

A multi-cell thunderstorm is a system of individual cells.

A supercell thunderstorm is a highly organized thunderstorm with a large

rotating updraft that can be 20 km in diameter and 15 km in height.

A squall line is a group of storms arranged in a straight line. It is shorter-lived

than multi-cells and supercells, and are less likely to produce tornadoes.

El Niño and La Niña are the warm and cold phases of the El Niño-Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
El Niño is a Spanish term that translates to “The Little Boy” or “Christ Child.”

La Niña, meaning “The Little Girl,” is characterized by sea surface temperatures

lower than average. It is also referred to as El Viejo (The Old Man) or anti-El
Niño, since its local effects on weather are generally the opposite of those of El
Niño.

QUIPPER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SINKHOLE - Which of the following geological phenomenon refers to surface
shrinking that creates a massive, deep circular hole in a particular ground
surface?

(IN URBAN AREAS), (IN BIG CITIES), (IN MINING CITIES) - Where does ground
subsidence usually occur?

TECTONIC MOTION - Which of the following is a natural cause of ground

subsidence?

MAKE FISSURE AREAS AS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS - Which from the following

plans of action is *not *true about avoiding ground subsidence in populated
areas?

ROUTE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS TO EARTH FISSURES - Which of the following

does not promote avoidance of ground subsidence?

IT IS THE REMOVAL OF MATERIAL FROM THE COAST BY WAVE ACTION…. -

What is coastal erosion?

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES - What

agency is responsible in the clean-up and rehabilitation Boracay island, in
Malaybalay, Aklan?

BOLIDE - What generic term defines any celestial body entering the earth
surface creating a fireball?

IT CAN INSTANTLY KILL BILLIONS OF PEOPLE - To what maximum extent can a

bolide impact affect life on Earth?

(CENTRAL BODIES SUCH AS PLANETS AND SPACE ROCKS ATTRACTS EACH

OTHER), (DISTURBANCE UPON THE ASTEROID BELT COULD PUSH THESE
MATERIALS TO INNER AREAS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM) - Why is there always a
danger of near earth objects to collide with our planet?

ASTEROID BELT - What do you call the region with metallic asteroids in the
solar system?

COUNTRIES WITH SPACE PROGRAMS CAN COORDINATE WITH OTHER

COUNTRIES REGARDING MONITORING AND PREPAREDNESS PLANS. - Which
would best help prepare citizens of the world on bolide hazards?

OXYGEN - What element of the fire triangle comprises 21% of the Earth’s
atmosphere?

FIRE TRIANGLE - Which concept discusses the requirements needed to create

a fire?
COMBUSTIBLE, FLAMMABLE - What term describes a material that can start
the fire?

NO, BECAUSE ALL ELEMENTS ARE NEEDED TO START A FIRE - If one of the
element is absent in the fire triangle, can a fire still be created?

ADDING MOISTURE ON THE SURROUNDING AREA, POURING WATER OVER A

BURNING AREA - Which among the following describes removal of heat in
extinguishing the fire?

BLOWING CARBON DIOXIDE ON THE BURNING AREA, PUTTING A BLANKET ON

TOP OF A BURNING AREA - Which among the following describes removal of
oxygen in extinguishing the fire?

TREE - Which among the following is the fuel source when a lightning strikes a
tree?

ADD A COOLING AGENT SUCH AS WATER OVER THE BURNING AREA TO

REDUCE HEAT, CONTROLLED BURNING OF TREES SURROUNDING THE
FOREST FIRE TO CUT DOWN THE FUEL SOURCE OF THE FIRE - Which of the
following can be done during forest fires to prevent the fire from spreading
further?

CERAMICS (NON-COMBUSTIBLE), WOOD (COMBUSTIBLE), CEMENT

(NON-COMBUSTIBLE), RUBBER (COMBUSTIBLE) - Categorize the following as
combustible or non combustible materials

NO, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THREE ELEMENTS MAY NOT BE IN THE RIGHT
AMOUNT FOR FIRE TO OCCUR - If the three elements of a fire triangle are
present, will fire automatically occur?

FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRES - What is the major cause of fire in the Philippines?

CLASS K - What fire classification involves the use burning of household liquids
such as cooking oil and grease?

LIGHTNING, SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, CIGARETTE BUTT - What can

cause fires in a wildlife environment?

BECAUSE SOME FUEL SOURCES HAVE SIMILAR PROPERTIES, BECAUSE SOME

FUEL SOURCES CAN BE EXTINGUISHED IN SIMILAR WAYS - Why is fire
classification based on fuel sources?

URBAN CITIES - Which area would probably cause the most human fatality as a
result of fire?
GREASE (CLASS K), VEGETABLE OIL (CLASS K), BUTANE (CLASS B), PETROLEUM
OIL (CLASS B) - Categorize the following fuel source as Class B or Class K fires

NO, BECAUSE LIGHTNING RODS WERE MADE TO BE STRUCK, BUT RESILIENT

TO THE EFFECTS OF LIGHTNING - Can lightning cause fire to lightning rods?

YES, BECAUSE FUEL SOURCES CAN CHANGE OVERTIME, YES, BECAUSE FUEL
FROM ELECTRIC COMPOUNDS CAN BE CUT OFF - Can Class C fires become
Class A fires?

FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING, NEGLECTED COOKING/STOVE, CHEMICALS,

LIGHTNING - Determine which cause of fire normally has the highest and
lowest number of recorded cases by the BFP with 1 being the highest and 4
being the lowest recorded number

NO, BECAUSE SOME FUEL SOURCES REACT TO WATER NEGATIVELY - Can

water be used for all classes of fire?

TYPHOON, HURRICANE - Which can be described as a system of rotating

thunderstorms that developed over ocean waters?

OVER WARM OCEAN WATERS OF THE ATLANTIC AND THE EAST PACIFIC -
Where do hurricanes originate?

CORIOLIS FORCE - Which of the following is responsible for rotational direction

of tropical cyclones?

MAGNITUDE OF SUSTAINED WINDS IN THE WALL CLOUD - What is the basis

for determining the classification of tropical cyclones?

SUPER TYPHOON (>220 km/h), TROPICAL DEPRESSION (<61 km/h), TROPICAL

STORM (62-88 km/h), TYPHOON (118-220 km/h)

WHEN THE LPA ENTERS THE PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY - At which

point does PAGASA monitor low pressure areas (LPA)?

THE PROJECTED IMPACTS OF THE EXTREME WEATHER, HOW SOON ITS

IMPACTS CAN BE ANTICIPATED FROM THE TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENT - Which
of the following is/are indicated in the Public Storm Warning signals?

A typhoon with sustained winds of 61-120 km/h is expected in the area in 24

hours. - Which of the following can be expected when a PSWS # 2 is issued by
PAGASA?

THE EYE OF THE TYPHOON IS CURRENTLY OVER YOUR AREA - A typhoon is

said to be currently moving through your area but it seems that the weather
around your house is calm. Which of the following can explain what is currently
happening in your exact area?
A more intense and widespread potential damage can be anticipated and
prepared for by the public in case of a typhoon with very strong winds. - Which
explains the need to add a PSWS # 5 in the Philippines?

A thunderstorm can be expected at about 6 in the evening. - PAGASA issues a

thunderstorm advisory in Metro Manila at 4pm. Which of the following is
indicated in the given issuance?

It is the shockwave of exploding heated air. - Which describes a thunder?

a balance of updrafts and downdrafts, moleture and rapidly rising warm air -
Which of the following is required in the formation of a thunderstorm?

Squall line - Which refers to a group of storms arranged in a line?

The electrons from clouds surge down to meet the streamers, creating
lightning. - Which explains why lightning strikes an object on the ground?

sudden fog formation over a large area - Which is *not *an indicator of an
approaching thunderstorm?

A thunderstorm can be expected at about 6 in the evening. - PAGASA issues a

thunderstorm advisory in Metro Manila at 4pm. Which of the following is
indicated in the given issuance?

TRUE - It is the rising of seawater level during a storm, It is driven by strong

typhoon winds.

FALSE - It produces waves of up to a maximum of 1 meter., It develops from

undersea disturbances.

SALINITY OF SEAWATER - Which of the following does not influence the severity
of a storm surge?

Inward Bow - Which describes the shape of the coast of Manila Bay?

a gentle-sloped shelf allows water to travel towards land more easily than a
steep-sloped shelf. - Which describes how the shape of the continental shelf
affects a storm surge?

A typhoon that is moving straight toward the coastline can create a bigger
storm surge than one that approaches at an angle. - Which of the following
correctly relates the angle of approach of the typhoon to the severity of storm
surge?

Four colors indicate different expected wave height, Four colors indicate
different actions to be taken - Which shows how a storm surge warning system
is coded?
A tsunami results from underwater movement while a storm surge results from
typhoon winds. - Which describes the difference between a tsunami and a
storm surge?

The wall reduces the powerful wave action before the water hits the land. - A
coast is lined with wall structures designed to reduce the impacts of storm
surges. Which best explains how those structures help against storm surges?

Evacuate with your family - In an orange warning, a expected. There may be

authorities but it is still worst scenario before se can be life-threatening a
precautions.