GROUND SHAKING

VOCABULARY WORDS
• Frequency- how often the vibration occur. The unit of measurement is
hertz(Hz) or cycles per second. The product of wavelength and frequency is
velocity.
• Natural frequency- the frequency at which a system naturally vibrates once
it has been set into motion. The natural frequency depends on the stiffness
and mass of the system.
• Period- the time (in seconds) it takes for one full cycle to occur. The period is
equal to the reciprocal for frequency (1/frequency).
• Acceleration- is the rate of change of velocity expressed as a ratio of the
acceleration of gravity.
•Earthquake ground shaking is the
movement of the Earth’s surface
produced by seismic waves that are
generated when an earthquake occurs
(adapted from USGS, no date).
The result of rapid ground acceleration.
Ground shaking can vary over an area
as a result of factors such as
topography, bedrock type and the
location and orientation of the fault
rupture.
•An earthquake generates seismic waves
that penetrate the Earth as body waves
(P & S) or travel as surface waves
(Love and Rayleigh). Each wave has a
characteristic speed and style of
motion.
 ELASTIC REBOUND THEORY
• Suggests that elastic strain energy builds up in the
deforming rocks on either side of the fault
1) Until it overcomes the resistance posed by any irregularity
on the fault plane. When the slippage does occur, energy is
released. The elastic energy released is transported by
seismic waves that travel throughout the earth.
2) As vibrations.
 PRIMARY (P-WAVE)
-the primary body wave; the first
seismic wave detected by
seismographs; able to move through
both liquid and solid rock. 
• Seismic Wave Motions—4 waves animated- Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (iris.edu)
 SECONDARY (S-WAVE)
-secondary body waves that oscillate the ground
perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. They
travel about 1.7 times slower than P waves.
Because liquids will not sustain shear stresses, S
waves will not travel through liquids like water,
molten rock, or the Earth’s outer core. S waves
produce vertical and horizontal motion in the
ground surface.
 RAYLEIGH WAVES
-surface waves that move in an
elliptical motion, producing both a
vertical and horizontal component of
motion in the direction of wave
propagation.  
 LOVE WAVES

Surface waves that move parallel

to the Earth’s surface and
perpendicular to the direction of
wave propagation..
 EFFECTS OF GROUND SHAKING
The ground shaking may also
cause landslides, mudslides, and
avalanches on steeper hills or
mountains, all of which can damage
buildings and hurt people.
• The degree of movement and stress a structure can withstand during an
earthquake depends on several factors, including:
• the age and state of repair of the structure
• the inherent strength, rigidity and stability of the structure’s design
• design characteristics intended to reduce the damaging effects of shaking
• the properties of the materials used to build the structure (concrete, steel,
timber and so on)
• the quality of building construction
• any seismic resilience devices that have been added to isolate, dampen or
transfer damaging effects
• the size of earthquake that the building was originally designed to withstand.
Under normal conditions, a built structure is subject to steady gravitational loads. However, during an earthquake,
ground shaking can impose strong lateral loads. If the structure is not designed to withstand them, the additional lateral
loads associated with seismic shaking can cause it to fail.
JULY 27, 2022 NORTH LUZON
EARTHQUAKE
• These all affect the way the seismic waves travel through the ground. If an earthquake
generates enough shaking intensity , built structures can be severely damaged and cliffs and
sloping ground can be temporarily or permanently destabilised. In large earthquakes, whole
districts can be devastated by the consequences of ground shaking.
• Ground displacement is how far the surface moves during the earthquake. It can cause the
ground to change position in both horizontal and vertical directions and move relative to
objects or other areas of land nearby.
• Ground velocity is a measure of how quickly the ground was displaced – the speed and
direction that the ground moved to get from its original location to its new location. Ground
that moves with a higher velocity is also displaced more quickly.
• Ground acceleration is a measure of how quickly the ground changes velocity during the
earthquake. Ground acceleration is responsible for the classic earthquake shaking effect
where the ground rapidly changes direction in a violent back and forward and up and down
motion.
 SEVEN STEPS TO EARTHQUAKE
SAFETY
Step 1 - Identify Hazards in the Home:
Step 2 - Create Your Disaster Plan
Step 3 - Create Disaster Supply Kits
Step 4 - Identify Your Home's Potential Weaknesses
Step 5 - Drop, Cover, and Hold On
Step 6 - After the Shaking Stops Check for Damages and Injuries
Needing Immediate Attention
Step 7 - When Safe Follow Your Disaster Plan