Earthquake & its Potential

hazards
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Geological Hazard
include internal earth processes such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides,
and related geophysical processes.

HAZARD: A dangerous phenomenon (substance or human activity) that may cause

loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihood and
services, social and economic disruption or environmental damage

Earthquake
is the vibration of Earth produced by the rapid release of energy.

are triggered by the slippage along a fault on the Earth’s crust.

feeble shaking to violent trembling of the ground produced by the sudden

displacement of rocks or rock materials below the earth’s surface

Tectonic Earthquakes Volcanic Earthquakes

are those generated by the sudden Earthquakes induced by rising lava or

displacement along faults in the solid magma beneath active volcanoes
and rigid layer of the earth.

Plate Tectonics
is the theory that proposes that Earth’s outer shell – its crust, are consists of
individual plates that interact in various ways and thereby produce earthquakes,
volcanoes, mountains and the crust itself

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 Fault
refers to a fracture, fissure or a zone of weakness where movement or
displacement has occurred or may occur again

said to be “active fault” if it has historical and contemporary seismicity, has

evidence of fault slip based on displaced rocks or soil units of known age and
displaced landforms

active fault is defined as a fault which has moved within the last 10,000 years

Richter Scale
measures the energy released by an earthquake

measures the earthquake magnitude – the total amount of energy released during
an earthquake.

Intensity
measurement used in order to measure the degree of earthquake shaking at a
given place based on the amount of damage.

Intensity I: not entirely felt, only those people that are not moving may felt it.
Things will slightly move from its place.

Intensity II: Moderately felt, can be felt by people that are inside their homes,
hanging objects will slightly sway and the water in the container will have ripple
effect.

Intensity III: Weak, can be felt by people inside their homes, inside buildings
and those in the upper floors. Vibration is comparable to a passing huge
vehicle like trucks. Dizziness may also be felt by some people, hanging objects
will slightly sway and water inside containers will move moderately.

Intensity IV: Moderately Strong, in general, it can be felt by people inside and
outside of buildings, people that are sleeping can be awaken by the vibration.

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 Objects hanging will sway strongly, glass windows may produce sound because
of vibration.

Intensity V: Strong. Can be felt by all people, may cause panic and fear to
people, strong vibration are felt all over the building and houses. Objects
hanging will sway violently, things may overturn and glass utensils and glass
windows may break.

Intensity VI: Intensely Strong. May cause panic and fear, some people may be
outbalanced because of the shaking. Concrete structures may incur damage,
weak and old buildings may collapse. Limited lanslide may occur.

Intensity VII: Destructive. May cause infrastructural collapse on weak and old
infrastructures, panic and fear. Limited liquefaction may occur.

Intensity VIII: Very Destructive. Severe damage to infrastructure, ground

rupture may occur, landslides may occur, disruption of power lines, rupture of
water pipes, liquefaction may also happen, and widespread panic may follow.

Intensity IX: Intensely Destructive. Destruction of infrastructures, liquefaction,

ground rupture, landslide and panic may ensue. Blackouts on affected areas
happens as power lines and posts collapses.

Intensity X: Devastation. Widespread destruction happens as all buildings

collapses, tsunamis, liquefaction, ground rupture and massive losses of lives
will ensue.

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 Associated Risk
can happen anywhere, it can occur inland, in remote areas and in submarine areas,
especially underneath the ocean.

Submarine earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can cause tsunamis

Tsunamis
are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the
sea.

do not dramatically increase in height. But as the waves travel inland, they build
up to higher and higher heights as the depth of the ocean decreases.

Speed of tsunami waves depends on ocean depth rather than the distance
from the source of the wave

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 Soil Liquefaction
describes a phenomenon whereby a saturated or partially saturated soil
substantially loses strength and stiffness in response to an applied stress,
usually earthquake shaking or other sudden change in stress condition, causing
it to behave like a liquid.

soil gradually loses strength and foundation due to impact and stress causing it
to act like liquids during an earthquake.

Landslide
also known as a landslip

is a form of mass wasting that includes a wide range of ground movements,

such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes, and shallow debris flows.

can occur in underwater, called a submarine landslide, coastal and onshore

environments.

Although the action of gravity is the primary driving force for a landslide to occur,
there are other contributing factors affecting the original slope stability.

Ground-Shaking
disruptive up-down and sideways movement or motion experienced during an
earthquake.

Strong ground shaking can cause objects to fall, break windows among others.

Strong ground shaking can also result to minor damages to buildings and worse,
cause collapse of a structure. (e.g. collapse of Hyatt Hotel, Baguio City after the 16
July 1990 Luzon Earthquake).

Most part of the Philippines will experience shaking at different degrees depending
on magnitude of earthquake, distance of one’s location from the fault that moved,
local below surface conditions, etc)

Ground Rupture

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 displacement on the ground due to movement of fault .

This will be experienced by areas where fault passes through (note not all cracks on
the ground that people see after a strong earthquake are faults, some may just be
surficial cracks because of ground failure)

The movement may have vertical and horizontal component and may be as small
asless than 0.5 meters (Masbate 1994 earthquake) to as big as 6 meters (16 July
1990 Earthquake).

Rupture
sea waves resulting from the disturbance of ocean floor by an earthquake

This is a series of giant sea waves commonly generated by under-the-sea

earthquakes and whose heights could be greater than 5 meters.

Examples of recent tsunami events in the Philippines are the August 1976 Moro
Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami and the November 1994 Oriental Mindoro
Earthquake and Tsunami, December 2004 Banda Aceh Earthquake (Indonesia),
and March 2011 Eastern Japan

Liquefaction
is a process that transforms the behavior of a body of sediments from that of a solid
to that of a liquid when subjected to extremely intense shaking.

As a result, any heavy load on top of the sediment body will either sink or tilt as the
sediment could no longer hold the load, such as what happened in Dagupan City
during the 16 July 1990 earthquake.

Earthquake-induced Landslide
failures in steep or hilly slopes triggered by an earthquake

loose thin soil covering on the slopes of steep mountains are prone to mass
movement, especially when shaken during an earthquake.

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 Many landslides occur as a result of strong ground shaking such as those observed
on the mountainsides along the National Highway in Nueva Ecija and the road
leading up to Baguio City during the 16 July 1990 earthquake

Tsunamis
sea waves resulting from the disturbance of ocean floor by an earthquake

is a series of giant sea waves commonly generated by under-the-sea earthquakes

and whose heights could be greater than 5 meters.

Tsunami
meaning “harbor waves”, “tidal waves”

commonly generated by disturbances associated with earthquakes occurring

below or near the ocean floor.

occurs when the earthquake is shallow-seated and strong enough to displace parts
of the seabed and disturb the mass of water over it.

In addition, underwater volcanic eruptions and landslides can also generate a

tsunami.

The increase in wave heights associated or during typhoons (when there are strong
winds) or tropical cyclones are called “storm surges”.

2 Kinds of Tsunami
1. Local Tsunami 2. Far Field/ Distant Tsunami

are confined to can travel from 1 to 24 hours before reaching

coasts within a the coast of the nearby countries.
hundred
These tsunamis mainly coming from the countries
kilometers of the
bordering Pacific Ocean like Chile (1960 2010,
source usually

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 earthquakes and 2015), Alaska in USA and Japan (2011). PTWC
a landslide or a (Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) and NWPTAC
pyroclastic flow. (Northwest Pacific Tsunami Advisory Center) are
the responsible agencies that closely monitor
It can reach the
Pacific-wide tsunami event and send tsunami
shoreline
warning to the countries around the Pacific
within 2 to 5
Ocean.
minutes.

Storm Surge
wind-generated waves on the surface of the sea

are not tsunamis (undersea earthquake-generated)

Hazard Maps
This is a map of the Philippines showing locations of most destructive tsunami
events recorded in Philippine history. We had around 90 destructive earthquakes,
around 40 tsunamis for past 400 years, and our coastal areas at eastern and
western margins fronting major seas and inland seas have been affected by
tsunamis.

People and properties are affected by earthquake due to any or a combination of

the following: unsafe location, poor construction, people don’t believe or know that
they be affected, people don’t know how they can be affected, people don’t know
what to do, and there is lack of timely and proper response.

Scientists have for so long studied earthquake occurrences and the hazards
associated with them by looking at impacts from major earthquakes.

Based on studies, given a specific earthquake scenario (magnitude) maps showing

areas likely to be affected by a certain specific hazard and the degree of
expected impact are generated.

The purpose is to be able to use these maps in reference for making

predictions about which areas are more likely to be affected by hazards.

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 are maps that show different hazards that may affect a certain area.

For earthquakes, a ground shaking hazard map shows the distribution of

earthquake shaking levels that have a certain probability of occurring.

A ground rupture hazard map shows areas wherein faults cut across. There are
hazard maps for liquefaction, earthquake-induced landslide and tsunami.

Magnitude Intensity
refers to the amount of is the strength of an earthquake as perceived
energy released, and felt by people in a certain locality.
measured by the amount
It is a numerical rating based on relative effects
of ground displacement or
to people, objects, environment and structures in
shaking.
the surroundings.
It is calculated based on
The intensity is generally higher near the
record of the earthquake
epicenter.
(seismograph).
It is represented by Roman Numerals (ex. II, IV,
represented by Arabic
IX) .
numbers (4.8, 9.3)

Preventive Measures
1. Before an Earthquake

The key to effective disaster prevention is planning.

Know the earthquake hazards in your area

Follow structural design and engineering practices when constructing a

house or a building

Evaluate structural soundness of the buildings and houses; strengthen or

retrofit if necessary

Prepare your homes, workplace or schools:

Strap or bolt heavy furniture, cabinets to the walls

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 Check the stability of hanging objects like ceiling fans and chandeliers

Breakable items, harmful chemicals and flammable materials should be

stored properly in the lowermost secured shelves

Familiarize yourself with the exit routes.

Know where fire extinguishers, first aid kits, alarms and communication facilities
are located. Learn how to use them beforehand.

Prepare a handy emergency supply kit with first aid kit, canned food and
can opener, water, clothing, blanket, battery-operated radio, flashlights and
extra batteries

Conduct and participate in regular earthquake drills

2. During an Earthquake

When you are INSIDE a structurally sound building or home…STAY there! Do

the “Duck, Cover and Hold on”

If possible, quickly open the door for exit.

Duck under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it, or protect your head
with your arms

Stay away from glass windows, shelves and other heavy objects

Beware of falling objects. Be alert and keep your eyes open.

If you’re OUTSIDE.. move to an open area!

Stay away from trees, power lines, posts and concrete structures

Move away from steep slopes which may be affected by landslides

If you’re near the shore and feel an earthquake especially if it’s too strong,
MOVE QUICKLY TO HIGHER GROUNDS. Tsunamis might follow.
III. If you’re in a moving vehicle, STOP and get out! Do not attempt to cross
bridges, overpasses or
flyovers which may have been damaged.

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 3. After an Earthquake

Be prepared for aftershocks. Once the shaking stops, take the fastest and
safest way out of the building.

DON’T…

…use elevators

…enter damaged buildings

…use telephone unless necessary

…PANIC

CHECK…

…yourself and others for injuries

..water and electrical lines for damages

…for spills of chemical, toxic and flammable materials

…and control fires which may spread

If you need to evacuate your residence, leave a message stating where you are
going and bring your emergency supply kit

Keep updated on disaster prevention instructions form battery-operated radios.

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