Welcome

to
Learning Module 11
Earthquakes
 Module Learning Outcomes

After studying the module, you should be

able to:
1. describe earthquake as a natural disaster;
2. show the ability to know what to do during an
earthquake.
What is an earthquake?

When the earth shakes due to

movements of plates below the earth's crust,
it is known as an earthquake. Earthquakes
are followed by many aftershocks which can
be of a low magnitude, and sometimes
equally destructive.
 An earthquake is what happens when
two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past
one another. 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,
and the location directly above it on the
surface of the earth is called the epicenter.
 Earthquakes are caused by faulting, a
sudden lateral or vertical movement of rock
along a rupture (break) surface.
 The primary cause of an earthquake is
faults on the crust of the earth. The cracks or
sudden slips of the land are known as faults or
fault planes. The point of origin of the
earthquake is inside the earth and is known as
the hypocenter. Maximum destruction is
caused at the epicenter, the surface above the
hypocenter. When there are sudden
movements in the various layers of the earth,
crust or mantle, concentric waves are
produced. These waves are known as seismic
waves.
Retrieved from http://ww2.kqed.org/quest/collections/earthquakes/ o n May 26, 2018
 Faults are breaks in the earth’s crust where
adjacent sections, or plates, have moved
relative to each other. When a lot of slippage
happens all at once, the result is a major
earthquake
Almaden (2018). Philippine Fault Line System. Retrieved from https://philpropertyexpert.com/how-safe-are-you-and-your-property-from-earthquake-fault-lines/
The West Valley Fault that extends to Cordillera, Sierra
Madre up to Batangas and Tagaytay is expected to
move anytime soon and could cause a 7.2 magnitude
earthquake in the country.

Retrieved from
https://www.untvweb.com/news/1103181630-west-valley-fault-line-movement-very-l
ik/May 26
, 2018
 The earthquakes’ intensity or strength
(magnitude) is calculated by the magnitude
of seismic waves, measured with the help of
a seismograph. The measurement is
taken on the Richter scale or the Mercalli
scale.
There are two main causes of earthquakes
 Firstly, they can be linked to explosive volcanic
eruptions; they are in fact very common in
areas of volcanic activity where they either
proceed or accompany eruptions.
 Secondly, they can be triggered by Tectonic
activity associated with plate margins and
faults. The majority of earthquakes world wide
are of this type.
The main effects of earthquakes are:

1.Deformed ground surface

2.Damage to man made structures
Retrieved from
https://exequielvillorente.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/disaster-prevention-and-risk
-reduction-education-on-landslides/
on May 26, 2018
4.Loss of human and animal life
5.Devastating fires
6. Landslides

Retrieved from
https://exequielvillorente.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/disaster-prevention-and-risk-reduction-education-on-landslides
/
on May 26, 2018
7.Tsunamis
 8.Faults
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3034200/The-app-predict-earthquake-Researchers-unveil-new-using-phone-sensors-early-warning-system.html
What to do during an earthquake?
 DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting
under a sturdy table or other piece of
furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking
stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you,
cover your face and head with your arms and
crouch in an inside corner of the building.
 Stay away from glass windows, outside doors
and walls, and anything that could fall, such
as lighting fixtures or furniture.
 Stay in bed if you are there when the
earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your
head with a pillow, unless you are under a
heavy light fixture, window or anything else
that could fall. In that case, move to the
nearest safe place (i.e. under a desk or in an
inside corner).
 Usea doorway for shelter only if it is in close
proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly
supported, load-bearing doorway. Brace
yourself on the side with the hinges to avoid the
door swinging at you.
 Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe
to go outside. Research has shown that
most injuries occur when people inside
buildings attempt to move to a different
location inside the building or try to leave.
 Be aware that the electricity may go out or
the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn
on.
 DONOT use the elevators, even if they are
working. There may be aftershocks.
 Ifthe walls are crumbling and the ceiling is
falling in, it is recommended that you lie down
NEXT TO a bed, sofa, desk or heavy piece of
furniture. In these conditions, the triangle of
space created when a bookshelf, wall or part
of a ceiling falls against a large piece of
furniture is your best chance of not getting
crushed.
 If you are outdoor, stay there.
 Once in the open, stay there until the shaking
stops. The greatest danger exists directly
outside buildings, at exits, and alongside
exterior walls. Ground movement during an
earthquake is seldom the direct cause of
death or injury. Most earthquake-related
casualties result from collapsing walls, flying
glass, and falling objects.
If you are in a moving vehicle
 Pull over to the side of the road and stop as
quickly as safety permits and stay in the
vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under
buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
(Guide Note: an earthquake while you're
driving feels like there's something wrong with
your car. Don't stop in the middle of the
freeway if traffic is still moving around you.
Slow down and put on your turn signal to get
to the side of the road. If everyone else is
doing the same thing, it was most likely an
earthquake.)
 Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has
stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that
might have been damaged by the
earthquake.
If trapped under debris

 Do not light a match.

 Do not move about or kick up dust.
 Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or
clothing.
 Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate
you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only
as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to
inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
 What is the agency of the
government monitoring on disasters in
the country?
 The Philippine Institute of Volcanology
and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is a service
institute of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) that is principally
mandated to mitigate disasters that may arise
from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami
and other related geotectonic phenomena.
If you have some
concerns concerning
the module, please
bring it up with your
professor in the
classroom for
clarifications and
further discussions.
 e n d s the
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