NATURAL HAZARDS,

MITIGATION, AND
ADAPTATION
Natural Hazards Disaster
- are events that - an event that
occur as part of the causes widespread
natural cycles of losses (human,
Earth and may cause economic, and
potential damage to environmental) and
disrupts the normal
a community functioning of a
community
Common Geologic Hazards
1. Earthquakes - is
the result of a sudden
release of stored
energy in the Earth's
crust that creates
seismic waves
a) Ground Shaking -
refers to the vibration of
the ground due to plate
movement or seismic
waves during an
earthquake
b) Surface Faulting -
is the tearing of the
ground when the
movement of a fault deep
within Earth breaks
through the surface of
the ground
c) Tsunamis - are very
high and large waves or
seismic sea waves caused
by the sudden movement
of the ocean floor due to
earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, man-made
explosions, and on some
occasions, landslides
2. Volcanic Eruption - Volcanic
eruptions happen when lava and gas are
discharged from a volcanic vent
- One of the most recent volcanic
eruption in our country was with Mount Taal.
Taal last erupted on January 12, 2020,
displacing more than 376,000 people from
surrounding towns. At the time, 39 people, in
evacuation centres, died due to illness and
accidents caused by thick ashfall. According to
the provincial government, Taal has erupted
33 times since 1572. Apart from this, the
Philippines belong to the Pacific Ring of Fire,
where volcanic activities are observed and said
to be frequent.
3. Landslides -
occurring in sloping
terrains
- Usually, if the soil is
not compact and devoid of
vegetation, gravity can
drive soil and rocks to slide
- can also be triggered
by a rainfall or an
earthquake

a) Rainfall-induced
landslides
- In sloping areas,
the gravitational descent of
loosened soil makes it
possible for landslide to
occur. This is a common
phenomenon in places with
tropical climates after very
intense and long rains
during the wet season.
b) Earthquake-
induced landslides
- This type of
landslide happens
during or after an
earthquake takes place
when a piece of
weakened land slides
off, it is primarily due
to gravity.
Prevention and Management
of Geological Hazards
What Should I Do Before, During, and
After an Earthquake?
Before an Earthquake
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-
powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.
- Learn first aid.
- Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity.
- Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an
earthquake.
- Don't leave heavy objects on shelves (they'll fall during a
quake).
- Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the
walls or floor.
- Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace.
During an Earthquake
- Stay calm! If you're indoors, stay inside. If you're outside, stay
outside.
- If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the
building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a
desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors.
- If you're outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or
anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might
fall off the building or the building could fall on you).
- Don't use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and
fire don't mix.
- If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the
earthquake stops.
- Don't use elevators (they may shut down).
After an Earthquake
- Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who
needs it.
- Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If any are damaged, shut
off the valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the
windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use
someone else's phone).
- Turn on the radio. Don't use the phone unless it's an emergency.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to
keep from cutting your feet.
- Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you).
- Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the
ground has stopped shaking.
- Stay away from damaged areas.
- If you're at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions
of the person-in-charge. Expect aftershocks.
What Should I Do Before, During, and
After a Volcanic Eruption?
Before the Explosion
- Evacuate immediately if you live or are staying within the radius of
affected areas. Long before the explosion, affected areas would have been
given a warning to evacuate the premises by local government units.
- Stay tuned to national news and your local community’s channels to be on
top of the situation and stay informed with local safety plans and
evacuation areas. Whether it’s through local radio, TV news, or official
social channels of news outlets, make sure that you’re getting reliable
information from trusted sources and not potentially dangerous
misinformation from hoax accounts.
- Charge your electronics. Keep your mobile devices and power banks
charged in case of power interruptions.
- Know disaster hotlines and other emergency hotlines
- Prepare a go-bag in case of evacuation.
During a Volcanic Eruption
- Use an N95 dust mask to protect yourself from pulmo-respiratory injuries
and diseases. If these are unavailable, use a damp handkerchief or
makeshift one from an old t-shirt.
- Protect your skin and eyes with proper clothing and glasses or goggles.
Ashfall is sharp and abrasive, so don’t rub if any comes into contact with
your skin or eyes.
- Secure your pets inside your home. Fine, volcanic ash is harmful for them
too.
- If you are outside, seek cover immediately in case of rock or ash falls.
- If you are inside, stay tuned to the news to keep informed of recent
developments. Close all doors and windows. Dampen curtains to keep fine
particles from coming through.
- If you are driving a vehicle, pull over and stop if there is a heavy ashfall.
- Cover food and water containers to avoid contamination with ash.
- Wash all utensils thoroughly before eating. Fine ash particles may have
settled on them.
- Stay away from rivers or streams to avoid lahar flow.
After Volcanic Eruption
- Do not leave your home or indoor shelters until notified
by the local government that it is safe to do so. Evacuate to
safer grounds only when notified.
- Keep a watchful eye on your kids or loved ones who may
be tempted to go out to see what’s going on outside.
- Wear protection. Use masks, glasses/goggles, long
sleeves, pants, and shoes when clearing out ash to protect
your lungs, skin and eyes.
- Clean your gutters and roof with water after clearing out
the ash to prevent corrosion.
- Wait for further announcements from LGUs or national
news related to the volcanic eruption.
Managing Oneself During Landslides

Before the Landslide

- The key to staying safe is to prepare and to have an emergency plan in place.
- Find out if you live in an area where landslides could potentially happen.
- Listen to local news and weather reports for any potential landslide watches and warnings in your area.
- Have practice drills with your family, so you know what to do and are prepared.
- Become familiar with the land around where you live and work so that you understand your risk in different
situations.
- Watch the patterns of storm water drainage on slopes near your home, especially where runoff water
converges.
- Know who to notify if you see these signs. Have municipal emergency contact numbers on hand. • Have
your emergency kit ready
- Make a personalized emergency kit. Families should be prepared to be self-sustaining for at least three days.
- Kits should include practical items such as drinking water, food, cash, and a portable radio. However, they
should also include items that are unique to your own families’ needs. This could include baby items,
medical prescriptions, pet food, etc.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic also add hygiene items such as hand sanitizer and nonmedical masks to
your kit to keep your family safe during an evacuation.
During the Landslide:
- Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
- If you suspect imminent danger evacuate immediately.
Inform affected neighbors if you can, and contact your
public works, fire or police department.
- Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving
debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking
together.
After the Landslide
- Listen to the radio, watch your local news channels, and/or follow
your local news outlet and/or emergency officials on social media
for further instructions from officials and local leaders.
- Stay away from the slide area until local officials say it is safe to
enter.
- Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.
Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as
quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
- Check your home’s foundation, chimney and surrounding land for
damage.
- Replant damaged ground as soon as possible because erosion
caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding.
- If you suspect your home is unsafe, do not enter. Rely on the
professionals to clear your home for re-entry, if you are unsure.
Managing Oneself During Landslides

If the landslide event is very critical:

- Plant more trees for better anchorage and compaction of soil surrounding
your property and its vicinities.
- Build channels for diversion of mudflow or debris flow to direct it away
from your property. Make sure though that the diversion does not
adversely affect any neighbor or any property.
- Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and the type of land it is
made up of. Identify low-lying areas where debris flow or a landslide can
possibly occur. Do not build any structure on or near that area.
- Observe patterns or storm water drainage and runoff especially in places
where they converge with other sources of runoffs. Avoid these areas
when there is a storm or heavy rainfall. Inform your household members
to avoid steep areas that are oversaturated with rainwater and are more
susceptible to the effects of gravity.
Should landslides occur without warning, make sure to
observe the following:
- Stay alert and implement your emergency disaster plan.
- Be attentive to unusual sounds like cracking of objects,
moving debris, and rolling boulders.
- Stay away from lower elevations or paths of debris.
Landslide is more dangerous if mudflow occurs because
its speed increases as it meets more water from ponds or
streams and it could be aggravated by heavy rain. Move
away quickly from its likely path.
- Take shelter under a sturdy table or structure. Curl into a
tight ball and protect your head.