CHAPTER 2

EARTHQUAKE
 Seismology
• It is from Ancient Greek
(seismós) meaning "earthquake" and (-
logía) meaning "study of") is the
scientific study of earthquakes and the
propagation of elastic waves through the
Earth or through other planet-like bodies.
 Seismologists are scientists who study
earthquakes and planetary activities as
well as their effects, such as tsunamis.
 Seismometer is used to detect the waves
 Seismogram is used to record and
measure the waves.
Seismic Waves are vibrations generated by a
sudden impulse in the earth such as earthquakes.

There are various types of seismic waves:

1. Surface waves: near the earth’s surface
 These waves only travel through the earth’s
crust and have lower frequency than body
waves.
 Two kinds of surface waves
a. Rayleigh wave
 was named for John William Strutt and Lord
Rayleigh who mathematically studied the
presence of this kind of wave in 1885.
 the movement of rayleigh wave is through
rolling up the ground like waves ocean.
b. Love wave
 was named after Augusta Edward Hough Love,
a British mathematician who studied this kind of
wave in 1911.
 this wave is faster than Rayleigh wave and can
only be felt I the earth’s crust.
 Love wave shakes the ground only in a
horizontal manner.
2. Body waves
 these waves only travel through the earth’s
interior.
 These have a higher frequency than surface
waves and also the precursor of surface waves.
 these can travel through the earth’s inner layers,
but surface waves can only move along the surface
of the planet like ripples on water.
 Two Kinds of Body waves
a. P-wave or primary wave is the fastest kind of
seismic wave. It is also called as compressional
wave because of its pulling and pushing
motion through rocks.
b. S-wave is the next wave we feel after the first
shaking of the ground. It can pass through
solids and do not travel directly to the earth’s
surface.
 Concept of Earthquake
 Earthquake occurs because of the
pressure released due to movement of
earth’s plates.
Earth has four major layers: inner core,
outer core, mantle core, and crust.
 The crust and mantle have the most direct
link to earthquakes.
the crust and the top of the mantle make up
only a thin layer on the earth’s surface. This layer
is further composed of large sections called
TECTONIC PLATES.
 The earth has seven primary tectonic plates,
(African, American, Eurasian, North America, Indo-
Australian, Pacific, and South American tectonics
plates) as well as other smaller, secondary and
tertiary plates.
 Boundaries is the edge of the plates.
These boundaries are composed of many
faults. These faults are the underground
surface where plates slip and the fault line
are located; and where the two plates meet.
 Earthquakes sometimes induce
foreshocks. These are light shaking of
ground that happen in the same site where a
stronger earthquake follows.
 Aftershocks occur at the same site of
mainshocks and can last up to weeks or
months depending on the size of mainshock.
 The location below the earth’s surface
where the earthquake starts is called the
Hypocenter.
The location directly above the hypocenter
is the Epicenter.
 Faults
 The Pacific Ring of Fire (also known as
Pacific Rim) is the haven of the most
volcanic and earthquake-prone places on
earth.
 The surface of the earth creates fractures
or discontinuity known as Faults.
 Faults give space to blocks of rock to move
relative to each other.
 Faults also have a trace on its surface
which is called Fault line
 Three major types of Fault
 Dip-slip fault
- This type of fault is called such because it
moves along the direction of the dip plane. It
involves downward movement on a sloping
fault as the fault’s two sides move apart.
 strike-slip fault
- The main movement of the blocks along this
fault is horizontal.

- This is the fault on which two blocks slide
past one another. It involves sideways
motion.
a. Right-lateral (dextral) in which the
displacement of block is to the right.
b. Left-lateral (Sinistral) in which the
displacement of block is to the left instead.
 Oblique slip fault
- This last type of fault is manifested when both
dip-slip and strike-slip fault motion happen.
 Some dangerous fault lines
1. San Andreas Fault, Southern California
- A strike-slip fault that can ravage through
downtown Los Angeles, California
downtown.
- It is one of the longest fault with over 1000
miles long and also one of the most
dangerous because of the human and
economic toll a major earthquake could
cause.
2. New Madrid Fault, Central U.S
- It is the fault where one of the most violent
earthquakes to hit the US occurred. It also
one of the active fault lines in the country.
3. Caribbean Plate
- Although a relatively small and independent
plate, it caused the devastation of
communities and infrastructures in Haiti.
- It can cause a strong earthquake that can
devastate Jamaica and can cause a 200-feet
high tsunami toward Southern US.
 Classification of Earthquakes
Earthquake can be caused by natural
force or human activities.
Natural earthquakes are follow:
1. Tectonic earthquake
 this is cause by abrupt movement of
earth along fault.
 This also preceded by foreshocks and
aftershocks
 Classification of Earthquakes
2. Plutonic earthquake
 this classification of earthquake has a
deep focus, with depth of disturbance
around 300 kilometers to 800 km.
The earthquakes that occur between 0
to 70 km are considered shallow focus.
 While those occur between 70 to 300
km are called intermediate focus.
 Classification of Earthquakes
3. Volcanic earthquake
 this earthquake happens because of a
volcanic eruption. The intensity and
magnitude of the earthquake depends
on the power of the volcanic eruption.
The stronger the eruption, the greater
earthquake it may induce
• Earthquakes are also classified according
to its effects in the environment.
 Magnitude is a measure of the actual size
of the earthquake and is computed
mathematically.
- This measure the energy released by an
earthquake and is assessed through
seismograph.
- It is measured using Richter Scale, named
after Charles Richter who develop it in
1935.
Magnitude Earthquake Effects
2.5 or less Usually not felt, but can be recorded
by seismograph.
2.5 to 5.4 often felt, but only causes minor
damage
5.5 to 6.0 Slight damage to buildings and other
structures.
6.1 to 6.9 May cause a lot of damage in very
populated areas.
7.0 to 7.9 Major earthquake. Serious damage
8.0 or Great earthquake. Can totally destroy
greater communities near the epicenter.
 Intensity is used to describe the actual
shaking and is determined by people,
behavior of animals, state of buildings and
structures, and changes to natural
environment.
- It is measures qualitatively how bad an
earthquake is.
- This refers to the actual damages and
effects made by an earthquake.
- It is uses the 12-point Mercalli scale.
Intensity of earthquake developed by PHIVOLCS
based on the Rossi-Forel Scale
Signs of an impending earthquake
 Animal behavior. Animals often exhibit
an abnormal behavior before an
earthquake.
 Change in atmospheric condition.
Strange changes in color or glow of sky
(white, blue, and light orange) are said to
show that an earthquake is about to hit.
Signs of an impending earthquake
 Electromagnetic disturbance there are
speculations that there is a relationship
between magnetic and electrical charges
in rock material and earthquake
 Boom sound. There are instances that a
trembling sound occurs before and during
earthquakes.
 Earthquake- related hazards
 Ground shaking. It is causes the most
damage during earthquake.
 Liquefaction. This is process in which soft
and sandy soils can behave like a fluid.
 Surface rupture. This is an offset of the
ground surface when fault rupture extend
to the earth’s surface.
 Tsunamis and sciches. Tsunami is a huge
series of waves generated by an earthquake
 Sinkholes.
 Landslides and rock falls.
 Subsidence and lateral spreading
 Fire. Fire often follows after an
earthquakes because of knocked down
power lines and broken gas lines.
 Earthquake Readiness
 Emergency supply kit which includes the following:
- medications, a first-aid kit and doctors name and
contact information;
- sturdy shoes, clothes, and a blanket;
- cash because ATMs will not work if power lines get
affected;
- Flashlight, extra batteries, and light bulbs;
- bottled water
- snack foods high in water and calories like protein
bars. Easy-to-open canned goods will also do.
 Make an earthquake preparedness plan.
This includes evacuation plans, contact
details of relatives and friends who are far
from your area.
 Discuss earthquake preparedness plan
with your family.
 Secure Hazards. Accuracy of risks and
hazards can be assessed by experts.
 Learn about earthquake risk in your area.
Coordinate closely with the local
authorities
 Practice the drop, cover, and hold-on
drill
 Protect your properties
 Electronics such as computers, televisions,
and refrigerators should be secured with
nylon straps to avoid damage due to
shaking of the ground.
 Install latches or bolts on cabinets.
 Chemical products such as insecticides
and flammable products should be
secured in the cabinet with latches
 Remove hanging objects such as
paintings, mirrors and frames from the
places near the bed, couches, and
anywhere people sit.
 Bolt down any gas appliances. Broken gas
lines can cause fires. Install pipe fittings to
avoid gas and water leaks because pipe
fittings are less likely to break.
 Repair deep cracks in ceiling or
foundation.
 What to do During earthquake?
o Find a safe spot in your house and classroom
o Drop, cover, and hold on
o If you are outdoor, then find place away from
buildings, power lines, and streetlights as
these might fall on you and cause injuries.
o if you are in a vehicle, then pull over to a
clear location, stop, and stay there with your
seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.
 What to do During earthquake?
o Do not leave your safe place while there is
an earthquake
o Use the stairs and not the elevator when
leaving establishments
o If you are in a coastal area, move to the
higher ground because strong earthquakes
could trigger tsunamis.
o If you are in a mountainous area or near
unstable slopes or cliffs, then stay vigilant
for rock falls and landslides.
 What to do after an earthquake?

o Check for injuries and if there are, then

call for an immediate medical assistance.
o Check for hazards such as fires, leaks,
chemical spill, and structures damaged by
earthquake.
o Be cautious of damaged buildings.
o Seek the help of authorities and volunteer
working groups if you will leave your
premises to ensure your safety.
 What to do after an earthquake?
o Help injured persons in your area.
o Eliminate fire hazards by using fire
extinguisher or water.
o Check the gas if there are leaks as it may
cause explosions.
o Clear up spilled flammable fluids like
insecticides
o Check if there are damages in your
electricity system
 What to do after an earthquake?
o When opening huge cabinet doors, do it
cautiously
o Expect aftershocks and leave the house if
it is unsafe.
o take pictures of the damaged areas of
your house, car/s and other properties
that can be used for insurance claims.
o Tune in the current news by listening to
radio or TV.
Activity:
1. Enumerate the types of earthquakes. Discuss
each type.
2. How can we measure the magnitude of
earthquakes?
3. What are the things that you should do if a 6.1
magnitude earthquake occurs in your
community.
4. Can observing animal behavior accurately
predict the occurrence of an earthquake? Why
or why not?
Thank You and God Bless us all!

Prepared by:
Catherine A. Bayani,LPT