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SCIENCE
Quarter 2 - Module 1
Earthquake and Faults

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 Lesson

1 Earthquake and Faults

OVERVIEW

If you recall, it was mentioned in Grade 7 that the Philippines is located along the Ring of Fire. How does
this affect us? People who live along the Ring of Fire have to put up with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In
this module, we will focus on earthquakes.
An earthquake is one of the most frightening things that anyone can ever experience. You grow up
believing that the Earth is rock solid and steady. But then the ground suddenly shakes and you do not know what
to believe anymore.
Strong earthquakes have caused countless deaths all over the world, even before people have started
recording these events. No wonder scientists have been working very hard to find a way to predict when an
earthquake occurs.
No one can stop quakes from happening. But there are things that people can do to avoid or reduce loss
of life and damage to property. The first step is to have a clear understanding of the occurrence of earthquakes.

What Is It

A fault is a break in the Earth’s crust, and

along the break, significant movement has taken
place.
The word break refers to a crack in the
ground while crust refers to the outermost layer of
the Earth. We live on the surface of the crust.
Significant movement means that the rocks have
been displaced or shifted considerably. Its
movement can be described along the fault in the
horizontal direction. That is, the ground moves
sideways. On the other hand, if ground will be
observed to move up or down the movement in the
vertical direction.
Figure 2. An example of a fault.

Activity 1 – Graphic Organizer

Complete the concept map. (ANSWER ONLY) (1-4)

(1) What is
(2)
inside the
Earth that
Fault is? makes the
ground
move?
Why there is
no movement A process that
right away describes the
even if there movement of the
is an ground after an
(3) occurence of
motion inside
the Earth?
earthquake
occurs? (4)

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 What I Can Do

Activity 2 – Tracing Fault. Answer only

1. Is there an active fault identified in your town, province, or region?

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. How will you prepare to an event like earthquake?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________

Lesson

2 Earthquake: Focus, Intensity, Magnitude

and Active and Inactive Faults

What Is It

Earthquakes are vibrations or tremors produced within the earth’s outer layer or crust. An earthquake is
tectonic. It occurs when parts of the earth’s crust break and also the rocks together with a fault slide near each
other or far away from each other. This is often called faulting. An earthquake could also be volcanic. Tremors are
often produced to signal an upcoming discharge at this vicinity or region.
The pressure makes the rocks move. The place where the earthquake originates is called focus. The
earth’s surface directly above the focus is called an epicenter. The seismic waves travel outward from the focus in
all direction when energy is released.. Scientists or experts during this field are called seismologists. There are
two major scales during which earthquakes are measured. The magnitude of a particular earthquake is also one
number that does not vary from place to position. Magnitude is that the entire energy released by an earthquake
at its focus.
Earthquakes of giant magnitude are stronger and typically more destructive than those of small
magnitude. The Ritcher Scale measures earthquake magnitude. The intensity of an earthquake is measured in
terms of its geological effects and so the general damage it brings. Away from the epicenter, the intensity of an
earthquake becomes weaker. The scale measures the intensity of shaking. The Intensity and the magnitudes
measurement are always corresponding to each other.
Scientists use different ways to find out if a fault is active. One is by checking the country’s historical
records. Another is by studying the vibrations, past and present that come from faults. Still another way is by
observing the surroundings. Or a fault may cut across a stream and the stream channel is then shifted. Or a fault
may slice through mountains and form cliffs.
An earthquake may be described in two ways: intensity and magnitude. The intensity of an earthquake
gives us an idea of how strong or weak the shaking is. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVOLCS) use the following scale to describe the intensity of earthquakes in the Philippines.
Intensity
Description
Scale
I Scarcely Perceptible – Perceptible to people under favourable circumstances. Delicately balanced
objects are disturbed slightly. Still water in containers oscillates slowly.
II Slightly Felt – Felt by few individuals at rest indoors. Hanging objects swing slightly. Still water in
containers oscillates noticeably.
III Weak – Felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings. Vibration is felt like one
passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people. Hanging objects
swing moderately. Still water in containers oscillates moderately.
IV Moderately Strong – Felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. Light sleepers
are awakened. Vibration is felt like passing of a heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably.
Dinner plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed buildings crack.
Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers slightly disturbed. Water in containers
oscillates strongly. Rumbling sounds may sometimes be heard.
V Strong – Generally by most people indoors and outdoors. Many sleeping people are awakened. Some

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 are frightened, some run outdoors. Strong shaking and racking felt throughout the building. Hanging
objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink, some are broken. Small light and unstable
objects may roll or overturn. Liquids spill from filed open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably.
Shaking of leaves and twigs of trees are noticeable.
VI Very Strong – Many people are frightened and run outdoors. Some people lose their balance.
Motorist feels like driving in fist fires. Heavy objects or furniture move or may be shifted. Small church
bells may ring. Wall plaster may crack. Very old or poorly-built houses and man-made structures are
slightly damaged though well-built structures are not affected. Limited rock falls and rolling boulders
occur in hilly and mountainous areas and escarpment trees are noticeably shaken.
VII Destructive – Most people are frightened and run outdoors. People find it difficult to stand in upper
floors. Heavy objects and furniture overturn or toggle. Big church bell may ring. Old or poorly-built
structures suffer considerably damage. Some well-built structures are slightly damaged. Some cracks
may appear on dikes, fish ponds, road surface, or concrete hollow block walls. Limited liquefaction,
lateral spreading and landslides are observed. Trees are shaken strongly. (Liquefaction is a process
by which loose saturated sand lose strength during an Earthquake and behave like a liquid).
VIII Very Destructive – Most people are panicky. People find it difficult to even outdoors. Many well-built
buildings are considerably damaged. Concrete dikes and foundation or bridges are destroyed by
ground setting and tapping. Railway tracks are bent or broken. Tombstones may be displaced, twisted
or overturned. Utility posts, towers and monuments may tilt or topple. Water and sewer pipes may be
bent, twisted or broken. Limited liquefaction and lateral spreading cause man-made structure to sink,
tilt or topple. Numerous landslides and rock fells occur in mountainous and hilly areas. Boulders are
thrown out from their positions particularly near the epicentre. Fissures and faults rupture may be
observed. Trees are violently shaken. Water splash or slep over dikes or banks of rivers.
IX Devastating – People are forcibly thrown to ground. Many cry and shake with fear. Most buildings are
totally damaged. Bridges elevated concrete structures are toppled or destroyed. Numerous utility
posts, towers and monuments are tilted, toppled or broken. Water sewer pipes are bent, twisted or
broken. Landslides and liquefaction with lateral spreading and sand boils are widespread the ground is
distorted into undulations. Trees are shaken very violently with some toppled or broken. Boulders are
commonly thrown out. River water splashes violently or slaps over dikes and banks.
X Completely Devastating – Practically all man-made structures are destroyed. Massive landslides and
liquefaction, large scale subsidence and uplift or land forms and many ground fissures are observed.
Changes in river courses and destructive sachets in large lakes occur. Many trees are toppled, broken
and uprooted.
Table 1. PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS)

However consequences accompanying any faults. Assume a residence was constructed on a fault. As
the spot displaces slowly, portions of the residence will be stirred. The ground will fracture, openings will not shut,
and the roof may begin to drip. It is essential to perceive the spot of active faults, as what you had observed in
lesson1 activity 1 and 2.
Considerably, no significant constructions should be constructed near or on them. PHIVOLCS has a
diagram that displays the active faults in the Philippines. An active fault is one that has moved in the past and is
suspected to move again.
Experts adopt various techniques to uncover out if a fault is active. One is by reviewing the countries past
recordings. Archaeologists periodically record about disruptive incidents such as earthquakes. Another is by
analyzing the oscillations, former and today that come from faults. Nevertheless different method is by inspecting
the surroundings. For example, a fault may meet a path and because of that, the road is displaced. Either a fault
may cast over a river or the river current is then changed. Or a fault may slice through mountains and form cliffs.
This is not to say that anyone can spot an active fault.

Below is a model that represents:

Figure 15. The Fault Model consists of two pieces that fit together

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 Activity 3. What I Can Do

Direction: Read and fill in the blank. WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON YOUR PAPER.

A. The (1)__________________ of an earthquake is determined by observing the effects of the

(2)_________________ in different places. Houses, buildings, and other structures are inspected. People are
interviewed about what the intensity of an earthquake is determined by observing the (3)_____________ of the
earthquake in different places. Houses, buildings, and other structures are (4)_______________. People are
interviewed about what they saw (the cabinet fell over), how they (5) ________________ (I was
frightened), or what they did (I ran out of the house).

B. Another way of describing the strength of an earthquake is by (6)_______________. Recall that as

rocks bend along a fault, energy is stored little by little. When the rocks suddenly snap, the
(7)_____________________ is released.
The released energy can be calculated by scientists and is called the magnitude of the earthquake.
The greater the magnitude, the stronger the earthquake. To distinguish the two, intensity is expressed using
(8)_______________ (I, II, III) while magnitude uses (9)____________________s (2, 3, 4).
Earthquakes with a magnitude of (10)______ may or may not be felt. Those that are felt by most people
have a magnitude of (11)_____. Magnitude (12)____ quakes can lead to a lot of damage in highly populated
areas.
Earthquakes with a magnitude of (13)______ can cause severe damage. A magnitude (14)___________
quake results in widespread destruction, especially near the epicentre. Luckily, only (15)____________occur
every year.

Activity 4. Assessment (Post-Test)

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. ANSWER ONLY.
1. Earthquakes are a phenomenon in Japan, Indonesia, and therefore the Philippines. Why is that
so?
a. Japan, Indonesia, and therefore the Philippines are positioned near the equator.
b. Japan, Indonesia, and also the Philippines are located within the Pacific Ring of fire side.
c. Japan, Indonesia, and also the Philippines are circled by seas.
d. Japan, Indonesia, and also the Philippines are thought archipelagic countries.
2. What will most are anticipated to occur every moment a fault slips?
a. There will be no movement in the slightest degree.
b. The rocks are held together.
c. The rocks will swiftly slip and can create an earthquake.
d. There will be moving immediately.
3. Scientists use alternative ways to seek out if a fault is active. Which one isn't included?
a. Scientists checked the country’s account.
b. Scientists observed the environment.
c. Scientists created a fault model
d. Scientists studied the past and present vibrations.
4. An earthquake happens along a line. Which of the subsequent isn't true about faults?
a. It is found toward land.
b. It is where fault cyclone starts.
c. It will be found under the ocean.
d. It is an opportunity within the Earth’s crust.
5. What does one call the spot above the main focus on the surface of the Earth?
a. crust c. epicenter
b. wave d. magnitude
6. Which of the subsequent refers to the place where the earthquakes start?
a. fault plane c. fault
b. focus d. epicenter
7. What office in our country that's answerable for monitoring and observing earthquake and tsunami
occurrence?
a. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR )
b. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology(PHILVOLCS)
c. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
d. Department of Food and Authority(DFA)
8. Not every fault movement beneath the ocean will produce a tsunami. Which of the subsequent
fault movements will lead to such an occurrence?
a. String movement

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 b. Vertical movement
c. Sideward movement
d. Horizontal movement
9. What does one call the phenomenon that refers to the fast movement between two sides of a fault
wherein the friction is overcome leading to a sudden movement or shaking of the ground?
a. stick-bend c. stick-slip
b. stick-vibrate d. stick-shake
10. When the tsunami reaches the shore what could happen?
a. The wave accelerates and grows tall.
b. The wave breaks down.
c. The wave races.
d. It slows down and grows tall.
11. What is the term wont to describe Intensity VII?
a. Devastating c. Very strong
b. Strong d. Destructive
12. The release of energy of an earthquake refers to?
a. Focus c. Intensity
b. Epicenter d. Magnitude
13. Which of the subsequent is/are true about tsunamis?
a. It is associated with tides.
b. It is because of the upward movement of rock at the seafloor.
c. It is a large wave.
d. It is because of the upward movement of rock toward land.
14. Energy from the within the world makes the bottom move. Which of the subsequent is that the
reason why there's no movement right away?
a. There is no movement immediately thanks to the bending of the rocks.
b. The rapid release of energy causes a delay within the movement of the bottom.
c. There is no movement instantly thanks to the vibrations of the rocks.
d. Friction causes a delay within the movement of the bottom.
15. Scientists use other ways to explain how powerful an earthquake is. Which method refers to noting
the results of the earthquake on people, structure, and also the surroundings?
a. Intensity c. Magnitude
b. Focus d. Epicenter