Earthquake Hazard

LESSON 4
WEEK 4

KNOWLEDGE
ENRICHMENT
A. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 Recognize the natural signs of an impending tsunami;
 Interpret different earthquake hazard maps;
 Apply precautionary and safety measures before, during, and after an
earthquake.
 Reflect and respond to a given context.

B. INTRODUCTION
From the previous earthquake which devasted different areas in the Philippines
can we say that we equipped and prepared to face another life threatening event?
We’ve been hearing the “big one” is coming. The biggest and strongest
earthquake that will surprise the whole Metro Manila and certain place of
CALABARZON. We must to follow and obey the hazard drills our government
provides to be prepared and learn not to panic in case of emergency. In this
lesson you will learn the various earthquake hazards, different measures and
safety tips before, during, and after the earthquake to reduce the impact of the
damage.

C. LESSON PROPER

In your previous lesson about hazard, you have learned the various hazards and
its impact on the different exposed element. Now, it is essential for you to learn
what are the impending threats and hazards that go along with an occurrence of
an earthquake. Ultimately, this will help you develop sense of preparedness by
equipping you with necessary knowledge on the different earthquake hazards.

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What are Earthquake Hazards?

Earthquake Hazards refer to earthquake agents that can cause harm to

vulnerable targets, which can either be humans, animals, or even your
environment.

Various Potential Earthquake Hazards

Geologists explain that an earthquake is a type of hazard that depends on the

strength of seismic activity, along with such factors as local topographic and
built features, subsurface geology, and groundwater. A large earthquake will
always be followed by a sequence of aftershocks that usually aggravates its effect
on human and material elements like buildings and infrastructure.

The figure below is a graphic organizer containing the five (5) hazards. You will
be able to glimpse the series of events after earthquakes hit a place where each
hazard will be explained as the module pages progress.

EARTHQUAKE
HAZARDS

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 A. Ground shaking

Ground shaking or vibration refers to what we

feel when energy built up by applying stress to
the lithosphere is released by faulting during an
earthquake. It is the destructive up-down, and
sideways motion felt during an earthquake.
Strong ground shaking can cause an object to
fall, break windows, among others. Strong
ground shaking can also result in minor
damages to buildings and, worse, cause the
collapse of a structure. Figure 4.1 Ground shaking

Measures to Mitigate Effects of Ground

shaking

 Recognize the degree of probable ground shaking in the area

 Improve construction methods to accommodate shaking without collapse
 Potential damage from future ground shaking can only be mitigated by
tailoring structural designs and land use to the geologic setting.

B. Ground Rapture

Surface /ground rupture occurs when movement on

a fault breaks through to the surface. Rupture may
occur suddenly during an earthquake or slowly in the
form of fault creep. Fault rupture almost always
follows preexisting faults, which are zones of
weakness.
e

Measures to Minimize Ground Ruptures

 Motion along the main trace involves horizontal or vertical displacement
or a combination of both.
 Floors, walls may not only break horizontally or vertically but undergo
twisting and tilting
 Rupturing can cause a lot of damage to roads, tunnels, dams, and
pipelines.
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How to Minimize Ground Ruptures to Man-made structures?
 Sound engineering and construction practices may be adopted to prevent
destruction.
 The best way is to avoid active fault traces and deformation zones while
planning a construction.

C. Liquefaction
Earthquake motion can turn loosely packed,
water-saturated soil to liquid— "liquefaction.”
Liquefied soil becomes less compact and
ultimately loses the ability to support roads,
buried pipes, and, of course, houses. It is caused
by vibration or saturation with water which
causes the soil to decrease in density. This poses
a danger, for it leads to unstable structures of
buildings due to ground subsidence.
Figure 4.3 Liquefaction

How to mitigate the effects of liquefaction?

 The most common way of preventing
the occurrence of liquefaction
is foundation soil
improvement methods. One type of
improvement is to replace the
susceptible soil with the appropriate
amount of gravel.
 Stone columns are one of the best
methods of reducing the liquefaction
potential. Because they are performed by
vibration, they increase the compactness
of the foundation soil on one side, and
because of their water permeability, they
also allow faster water drainage. Also,
chemical soil stabilization methods use
cement, but they are not used as much
because they are not as profitable.

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 D. Tsunami
A tsunami is a huge sea wave triggered by a
violent displacement of the ocean floor.
Underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or
landslides can cause a tsunami. As it approached
a shallow coastline, its speed decreased, but the
height of the tsunami increased drastically,
bringing so much damage to nearby
communities. Tsunamis can also overwhelm
Figure 4.4 Tsunami
sewage systems, destroy structures and kill
people.

What are the natural signs of an impending tsunami?

Although earthquakes are yet to be predicted, tsunamis may give off several
natural signs when they are about to come. One can anticipate the following
signs below:
1. Feel an earthquake. Severe ground shaking
from local earthquakes may cause tsunamis.
However, an earthquake may not be felt if the
event is far away.
2. See ocean water disappear from beach, bay,
river. Water may recede from the coast, exposing
the ocean floor, reefs, and fish before returning as
a fast-moving wall of water (tsunami). This is
called “drawback.” The drawback can exceed
hundreds of meters exposing normally
submerged areas.
3. Hear an unusual roaring sound. Abnormal
ocean activity, a wall of water, and an
approaching tsunami can create a loud "roaring"
sound similar to a train or jet aircraft.
If you experience any of these signs, do not wait for official evacuation orders.
immediately leave low-lying coastal areas and move to higher ground.

Measures to Prepare for and Mitigate the Effects of Tsunami

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  Apart from providing warning systems and evacuation plans (including
routes and evacuation centers), LGU and government agencies need to
constantly remind the people through information and education
campaigns about the dangers involved to adopt personal preparedness
measures before and during a tsunami.
 Constructing seawalls can provide protection not only from tsunamis but
also from storm surges. Seawalls serve to intercept the onrushing waves
so that upon reaching the shore, the energy has largely diminished. Walls
along the shore, on the other hand, can prevent waves from flowing right
straight into populated areas.
 Planting trees like mangrove along the sea can lessen the impact of a
tsunami.

E. Landslides
Earthquakes can trigger landslides, especially in
areas with water-saturated soils, a common
characteristic of Cascadia. Landslides may
result in falling rocks and debris that collide
with people, buildings, and vehicles. They also
can block roads and disrupt utility lines.
Figure 4.5 Landslide
The term landslide describes the down-slope
movements of soil and rock under the influence of gravity. While many
landslides do occur through the process of rock or soil sliding on a distinct
surface, this is not necessarily the case, and thus the term can be something of a
misnomer. There is a wide variety of types of movement, including falling,
sliding, and flowing.

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 Measures to Mitigate Effects of Landslides
 Hazard Mapping: locate areas prone to slope
failures help in planning developmental
activities
 Engineering Structure: slope stabilization –
geogrids, nailing, anchors
 Afforestation and Reforestation of the Areas
 Draining a Landslide: Draining water is a
common mitigation technique to help stabilize
slides, although this one still moves.
 Gabion Wall: Gabions, blocks of rocks
wrapped in steel mesh, are commonly used to
fortify vulnerable slopes.
 Creation of Awareness Among Local People

Since we know the various earthquake hazards composed of five (5) ground
shaking, rupture, liquefaction, tsunamis, and landslide, now let us tackle if what
is earthquake magnitude and intensity?

Magnitude Intensity

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 It is measured at the epicenter – the
Earthquake intensity measures the
point on the Earth’s surface directly
level of ground shaking that
above the hypocenter. Earthquake correlates more directly with hazard
magnitude is measured on one of theimpact than does magnitude. It is
scales based on the work of Charlesestimated on the Modified Mercalli
Richter. These scales describe the total
(MM) scale, which allocates a
energy released by the earthquakes in
numerical value to observations of the
seismic waves that radiate outwardsquake and the extent of physical
from the fault plane. damage. The scale ranges from MM=I
(not felt at all) to MM =
The amount of loss and destruction XII( Widespread destruction). At first
caused by an earthquake depends glance, the MM scale appears to be
upon many factors, including: less ‘scientific ‘than the magnitude
 Duration scales because it relies upon
 Distance from the fault quantitative description rather than
 Local conditions empirical measurements.
 Population density
 Building quality

Annual Frequency of occurrence of earthquakes of different magnitudes based

on observation since 1900.
Descriptor Magnitude Annual Hazard Potential
Average
Great 8 and Higher 1 Total destruction, high loss of life
Major 7-7.9 18 Serious building damage, major loss of
life
Strong 6-6.9 120 Large losses, especially in the urban area
Moderate 5-5.9 800 Significant losses in populated areas
Light 4-4.9 6,200 Usually felt, some structural damage
Minor 3-3.9 49,000 Typically felt but usually little damage
Very Minor Less than 3 9,000 per No felt but recorded
day

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY TIPS

What to do before, during, and after an earthquake?

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BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

 Be familiar with the dangerous spots inside offices/

rooms.
 Be careful with things that may harm people during
an earthquake. It is better to fix the faulty electrical
wiring, leaky gas connection, and fasten shelves as
soon as possible.
 Identify safe places indoors and outdoors.
 Educate everyone about emergency contacts.
 Prepare a stock of emergency supplies. A stock of
food, water, medicines, flashlights, and batteries can
help you survive the tremor.
 Make an evacuation and reunion plan. Everyone may
be separated during an earthquake, so it is advisable
to have a reuniting plan like meeting in a specific
place after the disaster.

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 DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

 During quakes, duck or drop to the ground.

 Take cover. You may hide under a sturdy table or
piece of furniture for protection from falling
debris.
 Hold that position and stay wherever you are
until the shaking stops, and you cannot feel any
more ground movement.
 Do not immediately proceed to the door; some
doors will swing, which can even cause injury.

 If outdoors, move away from buildings and

streetlights.
 Immediately proceed to the open area.
 Stay there once in the open and not go near
buildings and tall infrastructures to avoid falling
debris.
 If in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety
permits.
 Avoid stopping near buildings, overpasses,
bridges, or ramps that the earthquake may have
damaged.

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AFTER EARTHQUAKE

 Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves

are usually less violent than the main quake but
can be strong enough to do additional damage.
 Check for injuries and apply necessary first aid
 Check gas, water, electrical lines, and appliances
for damage.
 Check to see that sewage lines are intact before you
use the toilet. Plug bathtub and sink drains to
prevent sewage backup.
 Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and
other flammable liquids.
 Check for building damage and potential safety
hazards like cracks around chimneys or
foundations.
 Be prepared for aftershocks, which can further
damage weakened structures.
 Listen to the radio for public safety instructions.

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