SCIENCE 8

2nd QUARTER
Module 2
Shake and Explore

Most Essential Learning Competencies

Differentiate the:
1. Epicenter of an earthquake from its focus;
2. Intensity of an earthquake from its magnitude; and
3. Active and inactive faults (S8ES-IIa-15)

To the Learner
This module was specially designed to help you understand and apply the lesson
objectives. Read and follow the simple instructions as your guide.
1. Set a conducive learning space at home so you can focus on your studies.
2. Seek assistance from your parents or guardian to guide you in doing the
activities.
3. Take down important concepts and list questions you would like to ask from
your teacher.
4. Reflect and apply the concepts that you have learned.
The Writers

Expectations
You are given one week to work on this module. At the end of this module, you
should be able to:
1. Differentiate epicenter from focus, and intensity from magnitude;
2. Discuss the scale adapted in the Philippines to describe the intensity and
magnitude of an earthquake;
3. Differentiate active and inactive faults; and
4. Using a map, locate and describe active and inactive faults in the Philippines.
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 Pretest
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following best completes the statement: “_____ is the location in the
Earth where the earthquake originates and directly above it you will find the ______.”?
A.Epicenter,focus B. Fault, wave C. Focus, epicenter D. Wave, fault
2. An earthquake is described according to its magnitude and intensity. Which of
the following best distinguishes one from the other?
Magnitude Intensity
A. Uses capital Roman numerals Uses Arabic numerals
B. Basis of structures of buildings Not a basis of structures of buildings
C. Measured using seismograph Measured using PEIS
D. Qualitative measure of earthquakes Quantitative measure of earthquakes
3. The PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) is used to measure the intensity
of an earthquake. Which of the following served as the basis for the development of
this scale?
A. 1973 Ragay Gulf Earthquake C. 1990 Luzon Earthquake
B. 1983 Laoag Earthquake D. 1996 Bohol Earthquake
4. Study the table which shows the comparison between an active fault and an
inactive fault. Which comparison/s is/are correct?
Active Fault Inactive Fault
A Had not displayed any seismic Had displayed evidence of seismic
activity for more than thousands of activity during the last 10,000 years
years
B Had displayed evidence of seismic Had not displayed any seismic
activity during the last 10,000 activity for more than thousands of
years years
A. A is correct and B is incorrect. C. Both A and B are correct.
B. B is correct and A is incorrect. D. Both A and B are incorrect.
5. Study the map at the right. Which
place lies along an active fault?
A. Celebes Sea
B. Davao City
C. Puerto Princesa City
D. Sulu Sea

Looking Back
Do you still remember what fault is and its types? A fault is a crack or break on
the Earth’s crust due to the movement of tectonic plates. And when tectonic plates
move along fault lines, energy is released that causes an earthquake.
A fault has three types based on the relative motion of the plates. They are:
normal fault; reverse fault; and strike-slip fault.
In the following figure, identify the type of fault that the block diagrams which
represent tectonic plates suggest. Write your answer on the space after each block
diagram.

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 Brief
If yes, Introduction
Have you ever experienced sudden shaking of the ground or earthquake? If yes,
then how did you feel about it? When it happens, don’t get too scared and avoid
panicking. Because an earthquake is a natural phenomenon caused by a sudden release
of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves.
According to data recorded by PHIVOLCS, our country has an average of 2000
earthquakes every year. This is because the Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of
Fire, which causes the country to have frequent seismic and volcanic activities. Many
earthquakes of smaller magnitude occur very regularly due to the convergence of major
tectonic plates in the region.
Earthquakes occur mostly along fault lines. A fault may either be active or
inactive according to its activity. In addition, there are several active faults in our
country which explains why we experience earthquakes very often.
The following figure shows where an earthquake originates. When two blocks of
the earth (tectonic plates) suddenly slip past one another, it causes friction which in
turn releases energy in the form of seismic waves. These waves result in an earthquake.
The epicenter is the location on the surface of the Earth directly above the focus. Focus
also known as hypocenter is the location in the Earth where the earthquake starts or
the point within the earth where seismic waves originate.

Figure 2. Anatomy of an Earthquake

An earthquake may be described into two ways, by its magnitude and intensity.
Magnitude refers to the amount of energy released by an earthquake and determined
from measurements on seismographs while intensity refers to how much damage was
done and is determined from effects on people, human structures, and the natural
environment.

Activity 1 Two Pics = Two Terms

Objective:
1. Identify the focus and epicenter.
2. Differentiate focus from epicenter of an earthquake.
Materials: writing materials, pictures
Procedure: Study the pictures below. Identify the location of the focus and epicenter
from each picture. Write your answer on the table.
1. 2.

Figure 3. Location of Epicenter and Focus of an Earthquake

A. B. C. D.

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Guide Questions:
1. Using the pictures, how are you able to locate the epicenter and focus of an
earthquake?
2. Give the difference between a focus and an epicenter of an earthquake.

Activity 2 Simulating an Earthquake

Objectives:
1. Define the magnitude of an earthquake.
2. Build your own seismograph to measure shaking.
Materials: cardboard box, marker, paper or plastic cup, string, masking tape, bond
paper, coins or any heavy material which will fit in a cup
Procedure:
1. Cut the flaps off a cardboard box.
2. Use a string to hang a plastic/paper
cup inside the box.
3. Using a scissors, poke a hole in the
bottom of the cup. Insert a marker
through the hole.
4. Fill the cup with coins to add mass.
5. Cut the bond paper into four strips.
Tape them together end-to-end to form
one long strip.
6. Cut slots at the bottom of the sides of
the cardboard box. Slide the paper
through the slots.
7. Pull the paper through as you shake
the box. Figure 4. An Improvised Seismograph

Guide Questions:
1. What happens on the paper as you shake the cardboard box?
2. How does the image of the waves on the paper be affected when you shake the
box harder? Softer?
3. What does it mean when the wavy lines on the paper are higher or lower? How
could you use that to measure the magnitude of an earthquake?

There are two ways by which we can measure the strength of an earthquake:
magnitude and intensity. Magnitude is proportional to the energy released by an
earthquake at the focus. It is calculated from earthquakes recorded by an instrument
called seismograph. It is represented by Arabic Numbers (e.g. 4.8, 9.0).
Intensity, on the other hand, is the strength of an earthquake as perceived and
felt by people in a certain locality. It is a numerical rating based on the relative effects
to people, objects, environment and structures in the surrounding. The intensity is
generally higher near the epicenter. It is represented by Roman Numerals (e.g. II, IV,
and IX). In the Philippines, the intensity of an earthquake is determined using the
PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS). It was developed as a response to the
1990 Luzon earthquake.

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 https://bit.ly/3ibv1gB
Figure 5. PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS)

Activity 3 Spoof a Seismologist

Objectives:
1. Define intensity of an earthquake.
2. Discuss the scale adapted in the Philippines to describe the intensity and
magnitude of an earthquake.
Materials: PEIS, writing materials
Procedure: Assume that you are a seismologist who will study the amount of damage
an earthquake caused. Study the pictures in Column A and write your descriptions
about them in Column B. Use the PEIS chart in identifying the intensity of the
earthquake to complete Column C.

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 A B C

Guide Questions:
1. By using the PEIS or PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale, how do you define
the intensity of an earthquake?
2. How do you relate magnitude from intensity?

Earth’s surface is composed of crustal plates, these plates are in continuous

motion which is tectonically in nature. These motions provide stress that causes the
rocks to break, thus, faults are created. Faults are breakage or cracks on the earth’s
surface, and as the plates move along these faults, it causes the shaking of the earth
which we call earthquakes.

There are different categories of faults. Faults are categorized according to

activity, form, and the height of the dip. An active fault is a fault that is likely to
become the source of another earthquake sometime in the future. Geologists commonly
consider faults to be active if there has been movement observed or evidence of seismic
activity during the last 10,000 years. Active faulting is considered to be a geologic hazard
and related to earthquakes as a cause. Inactive fault is a fault which has not displayed
any seismic activity for more than thousands of years.

In our next activity, you will learn about the type of faults according to activity.
These are active faults and inactive faults.

Active and Inactive Faults

Activity 4
Objectives:
1. Differentiate an active fault from an inactive fault.
2. Determine the “sign” and description of an Active fault.

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 3. Identify the active faults in the Philippines by the use of a map
Materials: writing materials
Procedure:

Part A. Satisfy the Venn diagram by giving the differences and similarities
between Active and Inactive faults. Complete the sentence below the diagram.

Active faults are ___________________________________________________________________

while inactive faults are ___________________________________________________________.

To know whether a fault is active or inactive, we should try to look deeper into
the unique characteristics of each. There are two significant criteria to determine an
active fault. The recurrence of earthquakes along faults, and the physiographic and
geologic evidence that supports that there is a significant displacement which took
place. Since the location of the fault would determine its potentiality of being active,
faults along plate boundaries would tend to become a hazard due to the movement of
plates.

Part B. Identify the active and inactive faults in the figure below. Use a marker
to draw a circle along them. Then answer the questions that follow.

Figure 6. Active and Inactive Faults

Guide Questions:
1. Describe a fault.
2. How do you know if a fault is active or inactive?
3. Give the significant characteristics of an active fault that distinguish it from an
inactive fault.
4. Where do you find an active fault? An inactive fault?

There are five active fault lines in the country namely the Western Philippine Fault,
the Eastern Philippine Fault, the South of Mindanao Fault, Central Philippine Fault and
the Marikina/Valley Fault System. The central Philippine Fault Zone consisting of the
Guinayangan, Masbate, and Central Leyte faults are the most seismically active regions
transecting the islands of Bondoc to Leyte.

Activity 5 Locating Active and Inactive Faults in the Philippines

Objectives:
1. Using a map, locate and describe active and inactive faults in Luzon.
2. Determine the “sign” and description of active faults.
3. Complete the chart with required data.

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Materials: map, writing materials
Procedure: Study the map of Distribution of Active Faults in Luzon. Use the legend
in locating active and inactive faults. Complete the table below.

https://bit.ly/3i6sgND
Figure 7.Distribution of Active Faults in Luzon

Name of Fault Location Geologic Features Type

Near the Fault (Active/ Inactive)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Guide Questions:
1. What are the geologic features that you can find near a fault? What does this
convey?
2. Why do we need to determine the location of an active fault?
3. What are the possible dangers that could be brought about by living near an
active fault?

Remember
Directions: Match the terms in Column A with their meaning in Column B. Write the
letter of the correct answer on the space before the number.
_______ 1. Active fault A. Massive section of the Earth’s crust that is constantly
in motion.
_______ 2. Earthquake B. Instrument used for measuring and recording the
vibrations of an earthquake.
_______ 3. Epicenter C. Strength of an earthquake as perceived and felt by
people in a certain locality.
_______ 4. Fault D. Becomes the source of another earthquake sometime
in the future and has observable movement which shows
evidence of seismic activity during the last 10,000 years.

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_______ 5. Focus E. A sudden rapid shaking of the ground caused by a
sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that
creates seismic waves.
_______ 6. Inactive fault F. The point on the Earth’s surface that is vertically
above the focus of an earthquake.
_______ 7. Intensity G. A crack or break on the Earth’s crust due to the
movement of tectonic plates.
_______ 8. Magnitude H. Amount of energy released by an earthquake and
determined from measurements on seismographs.
_______ 9. PEIS I. Also known as hypocenter, is the point of origin of an
earthquake.
_______ 10. Seismograph J. Means PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale, the
scale adapted in the Philippines to describe the intensity
of an earthquake which was developed as a response to
the 1990 Luzon earthquake.
_______ 11. Tectonic plate K. Has not displayed any seismic activity for more than
thousands of years.

Posttest
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. Study the figure at the right. Which letter
corresponds to the epicenter of an earthquake?

2. What government agency is tasked to determine the magnitude of an earthquake in

the Philippines?
A. MMDA B. NDRRMC C. PAGASA D. PHIVOLCS
3. Jennifer is sitting on a sofa when suddenly she feels an earthquake which has a
vibration like one passing of a heavy truck. What intensity does Jennifer feel?
A. I B. II C. III D. IV
4. Study the graph at the right.
Which letter corresponds to an
active fault?

5. Is there a relationship between the presence of active faults with the occurrence of
earthquakes in the Philippines?
A. No. Earthquakes do not occur in areas where there are active faults.
B. Yes. Earthquakes happen most likely in areas where there are active faults.
C. No. There is no direct relationship between the presence of active faults with the
occurrence of earthquakes in the Philippines.
D. Yes. The presence of active faults indicates that earthquakes will not happen at
all.

Reflections
To address a problem, the best thing to do is to plan ahead. It is the same as
anticipating the worst to come up with the best solution to an unexpected undesirable
event such as that of a calamity or a disaster. We termed this as Emergency
Management. There are four phases in an emergency management; mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery.

Directions: From the picture below, choose FIVE (5) items which you think are of most
importance for you in facing a disaster such as an earthquake. Explain your choices
and write your answers on the table below.

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 -Benjamin Franklin

Figure 8. Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

ITEMS REASON FOR CHOOSING
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

SCIENCE 8-ANSWER SHEET

Quarter 2: Week 2

Name: ____________________________________ Grade & Section: _____________ Teacher: _______________

Learning Competency: Differentiate the; 1. Epicenter of an earthquake from its focus; 2. Intensity of an earthquake
from its magnitude; and 3. Active and inactive faults (S8ES-IIa-15)
________________________________________________________
Pretest
1. ____________ 2. ____________ 3. ____________ 4. ____________ 5. __________
Looking Back
1. ____________ 2. ____________ 3. ____________
Activity 1
A. ____________ B. ____________ C. ____________ D.____________
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
Activity 2
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
Activity 3
1. ____________ 2. ____________ 3. ____________ 4. ____________ 5. __________
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
Activity 4
Active faults are
_______________________ while
inactive faults _____________.

1. ____________ 2. ____________ 3. ____________ 4. ____________ 5. _________

Activity 5
Name of Fault Location Geologic Features Type
Near the Fault (Active/ Inactive

1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
Remember Me
1. ___________ 2. ___________ 3. ___________ 4. ___________ 5. _____________
6. ___________ 7. ___________ 8. ___________ 9. ___________ 10. ____________11._______

Posttest
1. ___________ 2. ___________ 3. ___________ 4. ___________ 5. _____________

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