55 J Manzano St.

SAINT LOUIS SCHOOL Poblacion North, Solano

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT 3709 Nueva Vizcaya
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (078) 362 7458
Grade 11 ● DRRM ● Handout

EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
Objectives: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Identify various potential earthquake hazards;
2. Analyze the effects of the different earthquake hazards;
3. Differentiate magnitude from intensity; and
4. Apply precautionary and safety measures before, during and after an earthquake.

Hazards are threats to life, properties and environment. During an earthquake, ground shaking is the
main hazard. It can cause destruction of properties and environment as well as injuries and death.
Here are some of the most common secondary hazards of an earthquake:
1. Ground displacement, faulting, ground rapture;
2. Structural collapse;
3. Liquefaction;
4. Tsunami;
5. Seiche
6. Landslide, avalanches, rock falls.

An earthquake is the feeble shaking to violent trembling of the ground produced by the sudden
displacement of rocks or rock materials below the earth’s surface. Sudden displacement along fault fissures in
the solid and rigid layer of the earth generates tectonic earthquakes. Those induced by rising lava or magma
beneath active volcanoes generates volcanic earthquakes.
The tectonic origin of an earthquake happens if the tectonic edges or fault lines move suddenly wherein
the underground plane of rocks breaks suddenly causing the jolt. This jolt is measured by the seismograph, an
instrument that detects and records earthquakes.
Magnitude is a quantitative measure of the size and energy released at the source of the earthquake. It is
determined from measurements of the seismographs. The Richter scale measures the amount of seismic energy
released by an earthquake.
Intensity measures strength of shaking produced by the earthquake at a certain location. It is determined
from effects on people, human structures, and the natural environment. It is the severity of earthquake shaking
that is assessed using a descriptive scale- the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Magnitude Typical Maximum Abbreviated Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale
Modified Mercalli
Intensity
1.0-3.0 I I. Not felt except by a very few under especially favourable conditions.
3.0-3.9 II-III II. Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of building.
III. Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors especially on upper floors of
buildings; not recognized as an earthquake by some people; causes standing
motor and cars to rock slightly; vibrations are similar to the passing of a
truck; duration is estimated.
4.0-4.9 IV-V IV. Felt by many, outdoors by few during the day; at night, some were
awakened; dishes, windows, doors disturbed and walls make cracking
sound; sensation like heavy truck striking a building; standing motor cars
rocked noticeably.
V. Felt by nearly everyone; awakened many; broke some dishes and
windows; overturned objects; may stop pendulum clocks.
5.0-5.9 VI-VII VI. Felt by all, many were frightened; moved some heavy furniture; a few
instances of fallen plaster; slight damage.
VII. Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight
to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly
built or badly designed structures.
6.0-6.9 VII-IX VIII. Slight damage in specially designed structures; considerable damage
in ordinary substantial building with partial collapse; damage great in
poorly built structure; fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns,
monuments, walls; overturned heavy furniture.
IX. Considerable damage in specially designed structures; well-designed
frame structures thrown out of plumb; great damage in substantial
buildings, with partial collapse; buildings shifted off foundations.
 7.0 and VIII or higher X. Destroyed some well-built wooden structures, most masonry and frame
higher structures with foundations; bent rails.
XI. Few, if any (masonry) structures remain standing; destroyed bridges;
bent rails.
XII. Total damage; distorted line of sight and level; thrown objects into the
air from the severity of the earthquake.

Precautionary measures before, during and after an Earthquake

Before
1. Profile your community if it is situated along fault lines, near the shore (for tsunami hazard), lake (for Seiche
hazard) or any slopes (for landslide). Ask for assistance from your local disaster response/rescue office.
2. Come up with a family Communication plan, Family Disaster plan, and Community disaster plan (inquire
from your local disaster response office, Red Cross, or Bureau of Fire Protection for assistance). Discuss the
plan with your family, and community members.
3. Prepare a family emergency kit or Go Bag per member. You can also stockpile essential items such as food,
water, and clothing. Have fire extinguishers in your household.
4. Conduct disaster-proofing mechanisms in your houses. Design shutdown procedures at home. Familiarize
where the gas tanks, breakers, and water valves are and do a drill on how to turn them off. Identify family
members who can perform the same. Fasten or anchor tall or heavy furniture onto the walls. Secure those which
might drop during tremors by rearranging the layouts and design of your home. Put all heavy objects at the base
of the shelves.
5. Identify where to do your initial Drop-Cover-Hold around the house, office, or school premises.
6. Learn the earthquake evacuation plan and corridor in your house, community, and school. Also, note the exit
and mustering points in crowded areas as earthquake might happen during your travel, market, or small
schedules. In the school, be familiar with the incident command management and evacuation procedures.

During (Indoors)
1. If there’s a table near you, execute Drop-Cover-Hold (drop and seek cover under the table, hold on to the legs
of the table). Stay calm and orient yourself to the exit area. Grab your Go Bag if it is near your location.
2. Stay away from glass windows, unfastened furniture, or any heavy ornaments that will fall.
3. If there is nothing to hide under, do the ‘tripod’ position and keep eyes open with hands down to maintain
balance during the tremor. Look up, from, left and right, and at your back. Watch for falling things. Orient
yourself to the nearest, unblocked exit.
5. Stay at strong walls while there is shaking. In case you are hit and trapped by a huge fallen object, be calm.
You will easily be seen by the rescuers because they always search on walls inside the buildings. Rescuers
consider walls as ‘lifelines’.
6. If in stairwell, stay low on wall side while looking for things that might fall. Do the ‘tripod’ or ‘semi-
kneeling’ position with one knee anchored on favourable edge of the stairs during the shaking.
7. If inside an elevator, hold onto the walls in a ‘straddle’ position.
8. Do not drop, cover, and hold with face smacked on the ground.

During (Outdoors)
1. During sudden jolts, stay low by doing the ‘tripod’ position. Open your eyes and scan the surroundings for
posts, wires, debris from tall buildings, etc.
2. If outside any tall building, get away from the side to avoid being hit by fallen glass materials and other
debris. Maneuver in wide stride towards the center of the road or stay low at the strong undercover or
fenestration of the building.
3. While staying low (in tripod position), orient yourself on the possible hazards (facing tall buildings or posts
with or without wire, etc.)
4. Stay beside a fixed, strong object, (e.g. park bench) and stay low while observing your surroundings.

After
1. In a safe location, check for any injuries in your body as well as of others.
2. Evacuate to assigned mustering points if ordered or if there are hazards present like fire, breeched structures,
etc., with your Go Bag and other protective equipment like helmet and lamps.
3. Shut off valves and breakers of water, gas and electricity.
4. If in school, raise alarm if there is hazard, assign ‘first man’(maybe the class teacher) to lead the evacuation
in a linear manner and the ‘last man’ as the pre-assigned sweeper.
5. If there is fire involved, evacuate upwind.
6. If there is a tsunami alert, get away at once from the shoreline.
7. Do fire fighting if within the safe side using available fire extinguisher.
8. If trapped inside a building, use a whistle to call for attention.
9. If possible, use only SMS instead of calling anyone unless it is in an emergency.
10. Clear roads, corridors, and pathways for emergency services to use.
11. Be alert at all times for aftershocks.

VOLCANIC HAZARDS
Objectives: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Explain various volcano-related hazards;
2. Differentiate among different volcano hazards;
3. Recognize signs of an impending volcanic eruption; and
4. Apply appropriate measures/interventions before, during and after a volcanic eruption.

Volcanoes of the Philippines

The Philippines belongs to the Pacific Ring of Fire, meaning it has numerous active volcanoes. The
following are the ten most active volcanoes in the country.
1. Mt. Mayon (Albay)- erupted at least 51 times since 1616
2. Taal Volcano (Batangas)- erupted 33 times since 1572
3. Mt. Kanlaon (Negros Oriental)- erupted at least 30 times since 1886
4. Mt. Bulusan (Sorsogon)- erupted at least 16 times from 1852
5. Mt. Makaturing (Lanao del Sur)- erupted 10 times since 1882
6. Mt. Kalayo or Musuan Peak Volcano (Bukidnon)- erupted 2 times between 1866 and 1887
7. Hibok-Hibok (Camiguin)- erupted 5 times since 1827
8. Smith volcano (Cagayan)- erupted 6 times
9. Mt. Banahaw (Quezon)- erupted 3 times since 1730
10. Mt. Pinatubo (Zambales)- erupted last 1991 which was known to be the 2nd largest eruption of the 20th
century. It had milder eruptions last 1992 and 1993.

Mini task: Volcanic Hazards

Instruction: Search for the following concepts on the different volcanic hazards. Write it on a 1 whole sheet of
paper to be submitted until Friday (March 20, 2020) in Google classroom.
1. Pyroclastic Density Currents
2. Lahars
3. Debris-Flow Avalanches
4. Lava Flows
5. Tephra falls and Ballistic Projectiles formed on land
6. Volcanic Gas
7. Tsunamis

Measures Before, During, and After a Volcanic Eruption

Before
1. Know the hazards of volcanic eruption if there’s any presence of volcano near your community. Consult the
DOST-PHIVOLCS website (www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph)
2. Check with your local disaster response office as to the hazards, warning system, evacuation procedures, and
incident command. Each family must have an emergency plan and must prepare all necessary things to bring
once evacuation is raised. Do not refuse to be evacuated by the authorities.
3. Know the primary, secondary, and other routes to the evacuation centers.
4. Eruptions have ash falls so every family member must have face masks and goggles.
5. Store much food, water, and light source. Prepare a Go Bag for each family member which contains first aid
kit, hygiene kit, portable radio, batteries, and useful stuff in case of emergency.
6. If there is a chance of eruption near your community and a possibility of ash fall (or with history of having
ash fall during previous eruptions), make a cover for your vehicle and a sealing intervention for your house,
school, and other infrastructure.
7. Include in the plan the safety (and security) of the children, elderly, persons with disability and even pets.
Evacuate them to a far ‘bug-out’ location (relative or friend’s house).

During
1. If caught in an eruption with ash falls, seek cover. Identify your shelter as strong enough to withstand
collapse from tephra falls or even from ballistic projectiles. If time permits, move upwind to get away from
some and ash.
2. Avoid all low-lying areas as they might be passageways for mudflows and lava flows.
3. Once inside, seal your area by closing doors, windows, and vents.
4. Monitor the status and progression of eruption from PHIVOLCS or from your local disaster response office.
Battery-powered radio is effective at this moment particularly if electricity is down. Always stay indoors during
monitoring while waiting for further instructions.
5. Use face masks to avoid breathing ashes.
6. If ordered to evacuate beforehand, stay in the designated shelter until further notice. Do not attempt to leave
the place unless told to do so.
7. Activate your family Plan regarding food and water rationing, hygiene sanitation, security and health update.
Do extra safety measures to children and the elderly as they are prone to respiratory problems due to ash falls.

After
1. Do not travel back to your community if it is not yet cleared by proper authorities.
2. Do not go back to your houses as one family. Assign someone who is fit to check first before re-entering or
staying there again. It is the decision of the community to order re-occupancy of the houses hit by the ash fall.
3. Clean everything around and check all the damages incurred.
4. Use masks and goggles while cleaning ash and other debris.
5. As you clean your area, be sure the community is also cleaning up sewers as they might end up clogging
them and might create more community problems involving disposal and sanitation.
6. Wait for further announcements related to the volcanic activities.

LANDSLIDE HAZARDS
Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Discuss the different landslide hazards;
2. Analyze the causes of landslides;
3. Recognize signs of impending landslide; and
4. Apply precautionary measures before, during and after a landslide.

Types of Landslides
The most common geological hazard present almost around the archipelago is landslide. It is a
geological phenomenon wherein a large mass of rocks, earth, and other materials move down the side of an
elevation like a mountain or hill. It involves a wide range of ground movements such as:
1. Creep- the slow downslope movement of particles that occurs on every slope covered with a loose,
weathered material.
2. Slump- a form of mass wasting that occurs when a coherent mass of loosely consolidated materials of
rock layers move a short distance down a slope.
3. Rock fall- the falling of a newly detached mass of rock from a cliff or down a very steep slope.
4. Rockslide- casued by rock failure in which part of the bedding plane of failure passes through an
intact rock and the material collapses in masses and not in individual blocks.
5. Sturzstrorm – made up of two German words: sturz meaning “fall” and strom meaning “stream”. It is
unique type of landslide that consists of soil and rock which has a great horizontal movement compared
to its initial vertical drop.
6. Debris flow- a moving mass of loose mud, sand, soil, rock, water, and air that travels down a slope
under the influence of gravity.
7. Mudflow- a mass of water and fine-grained earth materials that flows down a stream, ravine, and
canyon.

A Landslide can be rain-induced (after continuous raining) or earthquake-induced (due to tremors of the
earthquake).
Landslide, or landslip, happens if the driving force is greater than the resisting force. It usually happens
if the inclinations are steeper or composed of weakened and loose rocks, rock degradation, and incursion of
human activities along the slopes.

Earlier landslide event

This means that the place already has history of having landslides in the same place, on a nearby slope,
or even somewhere where the slope configuration is almost the same. It is also termed as reactivation landslide
where a failure reoccurred after a heavy rain of after an earthquake.

Change of water flow

The sudden arrival of water in a spring, seep, or wet ground that is usually dry indicates that something
has changed. Another factor is the sudden disappearance of water like in a creek, probably due to upstream
obstruction creating a dam, which can trigger a debris flow after a breakage of that dam.
Tension cracks
These are manifestations displayed on man-made structures like roads, pathways, and building walls
which are located near or along the slopes. Because of the stress from the moving part of the ground, the crack
is manifested parallel to each other after some time depending on the displacement speed of the slide.

Ground movement
This happens in an immediate noticeable manner or in a very slow, subtle movement like creep at few
centimetres per year. The manifestations are ground subsidence, damaged structures, deformed walls or fences,
tilted floors, doors or gates no longer closing properly, broken utilities, or presence of trees along the angled
forest which have bent up in a J-curve as the ground slips out from under them. This indicates that the ground
on a slope can be soft subject to a very slow motion.

Guide questions: To be answered in a separate word file and to be submitted in Google classroom until this
Friday.
1. Define landslide in your own words.
2. Differentiate rock fall from rockslide.
3. Why is it important to know if there is an impending landslide event in a certain place?
4. Enumerate some ways on how the community can minimize and/or avoid landslide hazard risks?

Major task of the week!

Photo Montage

Step 1: Collect local (occurred in the Philippines only) feature items and news clips in magazines, newspapers, and
internet featuring landslides.

Step 2: Create a montage of features, news, blogs, etc., with photos, maps, and diagrams showing the following items:
-pictures of the landform (as created by the hazard)
-disaster incident (involving damage to property or loss of life)
-date of occurrence, location, damage cost, risk assessment, etc
-Maps (hazard map, incident map, etc.)
-screenshots of original blogs
-Cut-outs (news and features)

Step 3: Follow the simple criteria in lay-outing:

Arrangement (design) 50%
Authenticity of materials 30%
Uniqueness and artistry 10%
Impact 10%