Lesson 3.

1
Geological Hazards

Natural Hazards, Mitigation, and Adaptation

Jayson C. Porras
Teacher
Objective

At the end of the lesson, you should be able

• to describe the various hazards that may happen in the

event of
–earthquakes,
–volcanic eruptions, and
–landslides.
Recall!

• The Philippines is prone to geological events such as

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.

• These natural events bring about different hazards that

may cause damage to infrastructures and endanger
human lives.
What are geological hazards?
Are you prepared if they
happen?
Learn about it!

• A geological hazard is a condition or event that may

cause harm to property and life as a result of a geological
process such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, or
landslide.
 Earthquake
• An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the ground
caused by the release of energy from accumulated stress
along the geologic faults or by volcanic activity. It may
cause collapse of buildings, tsunamis, landslides, and
ground-level changes.
Earthquake Hazards

• Earthquake hazards are events associated with an

earthquake that may cause adverse effects on organisms
and their environment.
• Ground shaking refers to the vibration of the land
surface during an earthquake. The intensity of the
vibration depends on the magnitude of the earthquake
and the distance from the epicenter. Ground shaking may
cause partial or total collapse of buildings and structures.
• Ground displacement or surface rupture is the
horizontal or vertical displacement of the ground surface
along the fault zone. It affects smaller area compared to
ground shaking. However, it severely damages buildings
and structures located adjacent to the faults.
• Liquefaction is the transformation of solid rocks and soil
to a liquid‐like state during ground shaking. When it
occurs, large rigid structures may tilt or sink into the
liquefied deposits.
• Tsunami is a set of long, high ocean waves caused by an
earthquake or other disturbance under the sea. It causes
flooding and destruction of structures near the shorelines.
• Fire is caused by rupture of gas lines during ground
shaking and displacement. It poses threat of explosions
which may cause death and destruction of property.
Example

• On October 15, 2013, a devastating earthquake

happened in the province of Bohol. Its recorded
magnitude was 7.2. The ground shaking and
displacement caused major damage of several
government buildings, schools, and houses. At least 93
people had been reported dead after the earthquake.
 Volcanic Eruption
• Volcanic eruption happens when materials such as
magma, ash, and gas are released from a volcano due to
a buildup of pressure inside. The effects of an eruption
can be on a local scale affecting the areas near the
volcano (e.g. lava flow reaches nearby towns) or on a
global scale (e.g. volcanic ash particles on air change
global temperature).
Volcanic Eruption Hazards

• Volcanic eruption hazards are events associated with a

volcanic eruption that may cause adverse effects on
organisms and their environment.
• Lahar is a mixture of volcanic debris and water that flows
at the slopes of the volcano. It destroys infrastructures,
buries towns and crops, and fills river channels.
• Pyroclastic fall is a mass of hot, dry pyroclastic material
(mixture of ash and dust) and hot gases. It moves rapidly
along the ground surface. It buries towns and causes
burns, injury, and damage upon impact.
• Volcanic gases are vapors released during an eruption.
Some of these gases, such as hydrogen sulfide (HS) and
sulfur dioxide (SO2), are poisonous. They cause
respiratory damage and death.
• Tephra falls are rock fragments and lava blobs ejected by
a volcano. They damage structures, break power lines, kill
vegetation, and cause respiratory damage.
Example

• Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991. This eruption

deposited about 5 km3 of rock fragments and volcanic
ash on the volcano’s slopes. When a heavy rain fell on
that day, the rocks and ashes were washed down into the
surrounding lowlands in large, fast-moving mudflows
called lahar. Lahar caused more destruction in the
lowlands than the eruption itself.
 Landslide
• A landslide, also called landslip, occurs when earth
materials (rocks, debris, and soil) move downwards along
a slope. It may be caused by earthquakes or heavy
rainfall. It can also be aggravated by human activities
such as deforestation, blasting, and
Landslide Hazards

• Landslide hazards are events associated with a landslide

that may cause adverse effects on organisms and their
environment.
• Mud flow is the flow of mud and rock. It may pick up
trees, houses, and cars as it moves down the slope. It
may block bridges and tributaries causing flood along its
path.
• Earthflow is the downward flow of fine-grained materials,
such as clay, fine sand, and silt. It is slower than
mudflow, but it inflicts the same damage.
• Rock fall is the sliding, toppling, or falling of rocks along a
slope. It disrupts road traffic in mountainous regions.
When it hits a structure or vehicle, it causes damage
depending on the size of the rock and the force of impact.
Example

• A massive landslide happened on February 17, 2006 in

Southern Leyte. The landslide caused widespread
damage and loss of life. It was followed by heavy rainfall
and a minor earthquake. The official death toll was 1126.
Note

• Most geological events cannot be prevented from

happening, though they can be predicted but with little
precision. The government, from the national to the local
level, must continuously train people to be prepared for
these events and plan strategies to mitigate or lessen the
effects of these hazards.
Explore!

• You are enjoying your summer vacation at the beach.

Suddenly, you felt the ground moving because of an
earthquake. What should you do? What are the scenarios
that may happen during and after the earthquake?
Try it!

• Get the map of your barangay or municipality and identify

the possible hazards that may occur in your area in the
case of certain geological events.

• How will you prepare for these events?

What do you think?

• Why is it important to know the hazards that can be

brought about by geological events?

• Hazards can be brought by one or more geological

events. For example, earthquake and volcanic eruption
can trigger a landslide.
 Key Points
• A geological hazard is a condition or event that may cause
harm to property and life as a result of a geological
process such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide.
• An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the surface of
the Earth. It may cause ground shaking, ground
displacement, liquefaction, tsunami, and fire.
• Volcanic eruption happens when materials such as magma,
ash, and gas are released from a volcano due to a buildup
of pressure inside. It may bring about lahar, pyroclastic fall,
volcanic gases, and tephra fall.
• A landslide occurs when earth materials (rocks, debris, and
soil) move downwards along a slope. It may bring about mud
Test Question

1. What is a geological hazard?

• A. an extreme weather that destroys properties and
causes casualties
• B. a possible cause of harm to property and life as a
result of a geological process
• C. the magnitude of destruction caused by a geological
event
• D. a location prone to geological processes such as
earthquake and landslide
2. Which of the following conditions or events give rise to
geological hazards?
• A. earthquake
• B. volcanic eruption
• C. tornado
• D. tropical cyclone
3. Which of the following describes a tsunami?
• A. a large ocean wave caused by an earthquake
• B. a massive flood brought by heavy rain
• C. a large ocean wave caused by a high tide
• D. a coastal flood commonly associated with low pressure
weather system
4. Which of the following is not an earthquake hazard?
• A. liquefaction
• B. tsunami
• C. fire
• D. pyroclastic flow
5. Which of the following pairs correctly match?
• A. volcanic eruption : ground displacement
• B. earthquake : tsunami
• C. landslide : rock fall
• D. earthquake : lahar
6. Which of the following are true about a volcanic eruption?
• A. It happens when materials such as lava, rocks, ashes,
and gases are released from a volcano.
• B. It is the sudden shaking of the ground caused by the
release of energy from accumulated stress along the
geologic faults.
• C. It may cause damage in the local or global scale.
• D. It occurs when earth materials move downwards along
a slope due to a heavy rainfall.
7. What happens during liquefaction?
• A. Solid rocks and soil transform into a liquid-like state.
• B. A mass of hot, dry pyroclastic material moves rapidly
along the ground surface.
• C. Rock fragments and lava blobs are ejected by a
volcano.
• D. A mixture of debris and water flows at the slopes of a
volcano.
 8. Refer to the table below. Which is most likely a
tsunami?
A. Hazard A
B. Hazard B
C. Hazard C
D. Hazard D
 9. Refer to the table below. What are possible
effects of Hazard C?
• A. It may cause flood
in low-lying areas.
• B. It can sink
buildings and other
structures.
• C. It may cause
respiratory ailments.
• D. It may cause burn
and injury upon
impact.
 10. Refer to the table below. Which of the hazards
are caused by an earthquake?
A. Hazard A
B. Hazard B
C. Hazard C
D. Hazard D