7

Environmental
Science
Quarter 3- Module: 2
Explain the Causes and Effects
of Natural Disasters to Humans
and Environment

DIVISION OF ANGELES CITY

Environmental Science – Grade 7
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3: Module 2: Explain the Causes and Effects of Natural Disasters to Humans
and Environment
First Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education

Regional Director: May B Eclar PhD, CESE III
Assistant Regional Director: Rhoda T. Razon EdD, CESO V

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Angelica M. Tayag

Editors: Lorie l. Macatula, Analiza P. Coricor, Suzzette M. Ramirez
Reviewers: Gemima A. Estrabillo, Hermes Vargas, Adrian Tamayo,
Emily F. Sarmiento, Noel S. Reganit, Krislene Ida N. Mercado
Ryan Sapao, Billy Ray B. Manuel, Marvin R. Leano, Gemmarie G. Rivas
Illustrator: Angelica M. Tayag
Layout Artists: Ray Jason Sanguyu, Anthony D. Taruc
Management Team: May B. Eclar PhD, CESO V
Rhoda T. Razon EdD, CESO V
Ma. Irelyn P. Tamayo PhD, CESE
Fernandina P. Otchengco PhD, CESE
Librada M. Rubio PhD
Ma. Editha R. Caparas EdD
Emily F. Sarmiento, PhD
Gemima A. Estrabillo, PhD
Rochella C. David

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Region III – Schools Division of Angeles City
Office Address: Jesus St., Pulungbulu, Angeles City
Telephone: (045) 322-5722; 322-4702 888-0582; 887-6099
E-mail Address: angeles.city@deped.gov.ph
 7

Environmental
Science
Quarter 3- Module: 2
Explain the Causes and Effects
of Natural Disasters to Humans
and Environment
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each

SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of
the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you
will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master causes and effects of natural disasters to humans and environment. The
scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The
language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.

The module is about:

● the causes and effects of natural disasters on humans and the environment.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. explain the causes and effects of natural disasters on humans and the
environment.

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 What I Know

Natural Disasters
Direction: Create an Information Chart about natural disasters.

INTRODUCTION

What is a natural disaster?

________________________________________
________________________________________

INFORMATION SHEET

Write down information about each type of natural disaster. Provide a brief
description, its causes, and effects.

Earthquakes: __________________________________________
____________________________________________

Floods: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Typhoons: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Volcanic Eruptions: ____________________________________

____________________________________________

CONCLUDING STATEMENT

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

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 Lesson Causes and Effects of
1 Natural Disasters to Human
and Environment

What’s In

Hello students! In our previous lesson, you discovered the

different pollutants that harm humans and the environment. These
pollutants pose a danger resulting in contamination of landscapes,
bodies of water, city skies, and these may even adversely affect living
things. Through that lesson, you become an advocate to help spread
awareness on reducing the production of these harmful materials
and protecting our Mother Nature from being destroyed.
Let’s see if you still remember the previous lesson. Can you identify the
pollutants and the type of pollution shown in the picture?

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

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 What’s New

Few believe that when the stars and planets are in a malevolent position, bad
events may happen. No person would want to experience unlucky events or even
disastrous events. However, in reality, disasters are the impact of natural and man-
made events that influence our lives and the environment surrounding us, not from
superstitious sources.

Any disaster can be classified either as ‘natural’ or ‘man-made.’ The most

common natural disasters known to humankind are thunderstorms, severe rainfalls,
cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods causing loss of life and
destruction to property.

ACTIVITY 1: Flash News!

Direction: Identify the natural calamities described by the weather anchor on the
local news. After you find out, unscramble the circled letters to answer the riddle!

1. It is a frightening funnel and a swirling vortex!

__ __ __ __ __ __ __
2. It is a monstrous made from overflowing rain!

__ __ __ __ __ __
3. It is a massive, watery crest with incredible power!

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

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 4. It is a crust-shaking, seismic seizure!

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
5. It is an intense, hot, molten mayhem with molten lava!

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Riddle: I bring harm. I leave debris and a few survivors. What am I?

What Is It

Natural disasters are catastrophic events with atmospheric, geological, and

hydrological origins. UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction) defines it as “a natural process or phenomenon that may cause loss of
life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services,
social and economic disruption, or environmental damage”.
Loss of life and property due to natural disasters like tropical cyclones, floods,
droughts, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions etc., is considerable. Today,
warning facilities are already available, and by mitigation measures, loss of lives and
properties can be minimized.
The meteorological services around the world provide warnings to the public
on some of the weather-related natural disasters. In the Philippines, the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA and
the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS are government
agencies that the public can rely on. Since natural disasters cannot be prevented,
taking proper long-term and short-term disaster mitigation measures can minimize
life and property loss.

Some common disasters known to occur in our country are:

A. Floods
Floods are defined as a relatively high flow of water discharged from the river and
stream network, which sets the riverbank margins to overflow and lead to the
submerging of low land areas surrounding the riverbed. It is essentially a physical

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phenomenon. Floods arise from abnormally heavy rains, dam failures, snow melts,
and river blockages. Flood disasters rank second only to droughts in the total
number of people affected worldwide.

Causes of Flooding:
1. Heavy Rainfall - too much rain causes water to flow overland contributing to
flooding. It is due to high rainfall over a prolonged period.
2. Dam Breakage - dams are human-made structures used to hold water from
flowing down from a raised ground. At times, the walls can become weak and
break because of overwhelming carriage capacity. Consequently, breakage of
the dam can cause extensive flooding in the neighboring areas.
3. River Overflows - rivers or streams can overflow their banks. It happens when
the river or stream holds more water upstream than usual, and it flows
downstream to the neighboring low-lying areas.
4. Lakes and Coastal Flooding - lake and Coastal flooding occur when large
storms or tsunamis cause the water body to surge inland.
5. Clogged Drainages - clogged or lack of a proper drainage system is usually the
cause of this type of flooding.

Effects of Flooding:
1. The force of flood, combined with high tide and erosion, damage residential
and commercial buildings. It may even be more destructive in villages lying
in the coastal areas as flood sweeps away everything in its path. In
mountainous areas it is the chief cause of landslides.
2. Fishermen, local people, cattle, animals, and vegetation suffer a significant
loss of life and property. Most of the deaths are reported to be from
drowning.
3. Supplies of fresh and potable water in all types and sources are nearly
destroyed and contaminated. Hence, affected areas may suffer the risk of
waterborne diseases.
4. The destruction of food and fodder crops result in an acute food shortage.
5. Floods also make soil infertile, as the topsoil is lost due to erosional
activity.
6. Floods are also known to preserve wetlands and recharge groundwater.

B. Earthquakes
An earthquake happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one
another (source: usgs.gov). The surface where they slip is called the fault or fault
plane. The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called
the hypocenter. The location directly above it, on the surface of the earth, is called
the epicenter.

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 Cause of Earthquakes:
Earthquakes are caused mainly by the imbalance in any part of the crust of
the earth. Other causes of earthquakes occur due to volcanic eruptions, faulting
and folding, gaseous expansion, and contraction inside the earth.
Effects of Earthquakes:
1. Landslides – Landmasses with weak foundations cause landslides and debris
falls, which damage settlements and transport systems on the lower slope
segments.
2. Damage to Life and property - Structures such as buildings, roads, rails,
factories, dams, and bridges suffer colossal damage from earthquakes, thus
causing a heavy loss for both human life and property.

3. Damages to Government Infrastructure – the various cities and towns are worst
affected due to a large concentration of human population, commercial
complexes, and residential areas.

4. Fire Hazard – Severe fire outbreaks in buildings, houses, and factories occur
when earthquakes produce strong oscillations.

5. Landmass Deformation – Due to a strong vibration produced by earthquakes,

the shapes of landmasses are altered.

6. Flash Floods - Strong seismic events result in the damages of dams and
cause severe flash floods.

7. Tsunamis - The seismic waves caused by the earthquakes traveling through

seawater, generate high sea waves, and cause significant loss of life and
property.

C. Typhoons
Tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating warm air and water created from a low-
pressure area. It always forms over oceans where sea surface temperature is greater
than 26 degrees Celsius. The term ‘Typhoon’ is used when a tropical cyclone is
developed in the northwest Pacific basin.
Cause of Typhoon:
Typhoons happen when needed components are combined, which favors the
development of typhoons. It is due to warm ocean water, low atmospheric
stability, and a moist atmosphere.
Effects of Typhoon:
1. Flooding – results in the drowning of people, plants, and animals.
2. Destruction of livestock - livestock and other domesticated animals suffer
when exposed for a long time to violent winds and torrential rains.
3. Soil erosion - excessive rain can cause plants to drown, and it also causes soil
erosion.

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 4. Damages to buildings and infrastructure - the heavy and persistent rainfall
and coastal storm surge that typhoons bring can also have devastating effects
making homes uninhabitable.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in the Philippines

There are compelling reasons why the Philippines should adopt disaster risk
reduction and management (DRRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA). It is
exposed to disasters and hazards due to its geography and geology and the presence
of internal disputes in some areas.
Tropical cyclones and their sequential effects of rain and windstorms, and
floods are the most prevalent hydro-meteorological hazards. These typhoons resulted
in 13,155 human casualties, and more than 51 million families have been affected.
Economic losses due to typhoon damages in agriculture, infrastructures, and private
properties are estimated to reach P158.242-B.

Environmental factors such as denuded forests aggravate flood risks. The pace
of deforestation since the 1930s accelerated in the 1950s and 1960s, before falling
slightly in the 1980s. Even now, the effects of loose soil and reduced forest cover
from past forestry activities are felt in frequent landslides and floods. (Source: The
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, 2011)
The Philippines is also situated along a highly seismic area lying along the
Pacific Ring of Fire and is highly prone to earthquakes. According to the Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the country experiences an
average of five (5) earthquakes a day.
Based on both the HFA progress reports and the SNAP review and using the
four (4) DRRM aspects under RA 10121, the following are the country’s successes in
DRRM: (source: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, 2011)

I. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

● Conduct risk assessments in various areas in the country.
● Development and establishment of several early warning systems
● Development of tools on risk assessment
● The increasing involvement of communities and local government units
(LGUs) in disaster risk management
● Development of DRRM mainstreaming tools into the national and sub-
national planning systems
● National institutional and legal frameworks in DRRM
● Presence of functional multi-sectoral platforms
● Resource allocation

II. Disaster Preparedness

● Conduct of DRRM various research work.

● Conduct of multi-stakeholders’ dialogues.
● Conduct various capacity building activities.
● Development and regular review of contingency plans
● Development of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials

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 ● Development of information and database generation
● Inclusion of DRRM into school curricula (especially in basic education)
● Existence of procedures on disaster communication

III. Disaster Response

● Established institutional mechanisms for disaster response operations

● Improved skills in search, rescue, and retrieval operations

IV. Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery

● Mainstreaming of DRR in social, economic, and human settlements

development plans
● Conduct post-disaster assessments.
● Integration of DRR into post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation processes
● Incorporating DRR elements in the planning and management of human
settlements

What’s More

ACTIVITY 1: Matching Disaster!

Direction: Match the name of a natural disaster with its appropriate illustration
below.

Tornado Landslide Forest fire

Typhoon Tsunami
Drought Lightning Floods
Volcanic Eruption Earthquake

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Guide Questions:
1. What is a natural disaster? Can you give some examples?
2. What are the significant damages caused by a natural disaster?

ACTIVITY 2: A Natural Researcher!

Direction: Choose a natural disaster to research. Write a summary of your research.

Natural Disaster: ________________________________

Write the website/book/newspaper you visited for this

information:

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Summary:

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Guide Questions:

1. In your opinion, what is the worst natural disaster that you know of? Why?
2. What natural disasters could happen where you live?

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Activity 3: Cause and Effect
Direction: Analyze and organize the information. Complete the cause and effect chart
below.

Natural Disaster Cause Effect

1. Earthquakes

2. Volcanic
Eruptions

3. Floods

4. Typhoon

5. Landslide

Guide Questions:
1. Identify three natural disasters along with their causes.
2. Cite at least three examples of natural disaster and their causes.
3. What are some ways we can prepare ourselves in advance to cope with these
disasters?

Activity 4: Speaking Card

Direction: Let us talk about natural disasters by answering the question cards below.

1. What was the last 2. Have you ever seen 3. What are some
natural disaster you problems people often
a natural disaster
saw on TV/social have after a natural
media? Where did it movie? Talk about it.
disaster?
happen, and how did
it affect people?

Guide Questions:
1. What do we need to do before the occurrence of a natural disaster?
2. What do we need to do during the occurrence of a natural disaster?
3. What do we need to do after the occurrence of a natural disaster?

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 What I have Learned

Concept Map
Direction: Using the concept map below, think of a natural disaster and provide its
causes and effects.

_____________________________________________
Natural Disaster

Causes: Effects:

________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________
________________
Ways on preventing:
________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
_____________________________

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 What I Can Do

Direction: Choose two activities that you would like to do. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper. Share your ideas with someone!

List 10 places you What are you going What will happen
want to go with to do if an to a school near
your family where earthquake river if a flashflood
tsunamis do not happens while you happens?
occur. are taking a bath?

List A-Z names of

typhoons occurred What if you are
in Philippines. stuck in elevator
while a fire hazard
happened?

How would you List 3 things that a List 5 words that

escape a flood tsunami and this illustration
using basin, ladle, earthquake have in represents a
and pair of socks? common. typhoon.

First Activity: ______________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Second Activity: ___________________

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 Assessment

Direction: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is a natural process by which an extreme event disturbs the balance of life.

a. flood
b. disaster
c. soil erosion
d. natural disaster

2. Which of these local services provide information to the public for some weather-
related natural disasters?
a. DENR
b. PAGASA
c. PHIVOLCS
d. USGS

3. Which BEST describes flooding?

a. a body of water with contamination
b. a body water where everyone can swim
c. degradation of water because of pollutants
d. overflowing water caused by heavy rainfall

4. The following are causes of flooding apart from:

a. soil erosion
b. breaking of dam
c. clogged drainages
d. lakes and coastal overflowing

5. It is the location where an earthquake starts.

a. asthenosphere
b. epicenter
c. hypocenter
d. lithosphere

6. Which BEST describes the effect of earthquakes?

a. Earthquake may cause tsunamis and faults.
b. People will feel dizzy due to the vibration of the earth.
c. Flash floods may occur due to vibration under the Pacific Ocean.
d. Earthquakes claim human life and damage properties and infrastructures.

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7. It is known as a matured tropical cyclone coming from the northwestern part of
the Pacific Ocean.
a. hurricane
b. tornado
c. typhoon
d. storm

8. The following are effects of typhoon except:

a. tsunami
b. earthquake
c. soil erosion
d. destruction of livestock

9. What is the reason why the Philippines has been experiencing flood risks since
the 1930s?
a. Deforestation has been degrading soil.
b. The Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
c. The country experiences an average of five earthquakes a day.
d. Tsunamis usually occur as the Philippines is a known archipelago.

10. The following are DRRM aspects under RA 10121 except:

a. Disaster Response
b. Disaster Preparedness
c. Disaster Coverage and Adaptation
d. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

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 Additional Activities

Flyer for Awareness!

What can you do to spread awareness about the causes and effects of natural
disasters? Make an information flyer that showcases the cause, effects, and
prevention of natural disasters here in the Philippines.

(Example of an information flyer)

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 Rubrics for Information Flyer

Category 4 3 2 1

It includes all
All required All but (1) of
the required Several
elements the required
Required elements as required
are included elements are
Elements well as elements
on the included
additional were missing.
poster. on the poster.
information.
All graphics
All graphics are are related to All graphics Graphics are
related to the the topic, and are related to not related to
topic and make most make it the the topic or
it easier to easier to topic. One or several
Graphic
understand. All understand. two borrowed
Relevance
borrowed Some borrowed graphics do
graphics borrowed graphics have not have a
have a citation graphics have a citation citation
source a citation source. source
source
The flyer is
The flyer is The flyer is The flyer is
distractingly
exceptionally attractive in acceptably
messy or
Attractivenes attractive in terms of attractive
very poorly
s terms of design, design, though it may
designed. It
layout, and layout, and be a bit
is not
neatness. neatness. messy.
attractive.
The work is
adequate but The work was
The effort was The effort was could have completed
Effort far beyond that completely been with
required. satisfactory. improved minimum
with more effort.
effort.

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 18
What’s In What’s More
1. Air pollution - smoke from vehicles Activity 1
2. Soil pollution – fertilizers 1. Earthquake
3. Noise pollution – airplanes 2. Tsunami
4. Water Pollution – garbage 3. Forest fire
5. Radioactive Pollution - radioactive materials 4. Typhoon
5. Tornado
What’s New 6. Lightning
7. Drought
1. Typhoon 8. Floods
2. Floods 9. Volcanic eruption
3. Tsunami 10. Landslide
4. Earthquake
5. Volcanic Eruption
Riddle: Disaster
Act ivity 2 Act ivity 3
Possible answer: Possible Answer
1. Earthquakes
Typhoon Yolanda
C: Earthquakes happens due to volcanic
Website: eruptions and contraction inside the earth.
www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/typ E: It causes landslides and damages to
hoon-haiyan-(yolanda) infrastructures.
2. Tsunamis
Summary: C: Tsunamis occur when movement of faults in
On 8 November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan oceanic floor happens.
(known locally as Yolanda) swept across the E: It causes flooding and damages to properties.
3. Floods
Philippines affecting 16 million people. More
C: Floods happens due to dam breakage or
than 28 000 were injured and 6 300 died. clogged drainages.
E: Potable water may be contaminated and may
suffer waterborne diseases.
4. Typhoon
C: It is created from a low pressure are which is
developed in the northwest pacific basin.
E: It may create flooding and soil erosion.
5. Landslide
C: Foundation of soil weakens due to accumulated
water from flooding.
E: Sewage disposal and roadways may be
damaged.
Act ivity 4
Answers may vary Assessment
What I have Learned 1. d
Answers may vary. 2. b
3. d
What I Can Do 4. a
5. c
Answers may vary
6. d
7. c
8. b
9. a
10.c
Answer Key
References
Bartleby. 2020. The Cause and Effects of Typhoons. Retrieved from:
http://bit.ly/3oxaVkY

DILG. 2011. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan. P. 11-12.
Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/39iuFCh

Earth Eclipse. 2020. What is Flood? Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/3nxiUgC

Science Direct. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2020, from http://bit.ly/2XH3onX

Sciencing. 2018. The Causes of Floods. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/3q4RWyv

Singh, Y.K. 2006 Environmental Science, New Delhi, P. 61-81. Retrieved from:
http://rvskvv.net/images/Environmental-Science_23.04.2020.pdf

Tropical Weather. 2020. What causes Typhoons. Retrieved from:

https://bit.ly/2Xtnhyx

USGS.gov. 2020. The Science of Earthquakes. Retrieved from:

http://on.doi.gov/3sbHfMr

USGS.gov. 2020. What is an Earthquake, and how it happens? Retrieved from:

http://on.doi.gov/38z54FW

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Region III- Schools Division of Angeles City
Jesus St., Pulungbulu, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines 2009
Telefax: (045) 322-5722; 322-4702; 888-0582; 887-6099

Email Address: angeles.city@deped.gov.ph