EARTHQUAKE AND

EARTHQUAKE
HAZARDS
MAIN IDEA: Earthquake hazards
can be classified into primary and
secondary hazards.
 Earth is made up of different plates that
constantly move, this movement gives
rise to earthquakes.
 An EARTHQUAKE is the sudden
movement of the ground that releases
elastic energy stored in rocks and
generates seismic waves.
 Earthquake usually form a long faults
which are fractures on earths crust where
rocks on one side of the break moves
fast the rocks on the other side.
 Simply put, the initial movement that
causes seismic vibration occurs when
two sides of a fault suddenly slide past
each other, generating an earthquake.
 The focus of an earthquake is the spot
where the earthquake began.

 The epicenter of an earthquake is the

point on earths surface located directly
above the focus on an earthquake.
 Earthquake Hazards
 Earthquake hazards can be anything that includes a physical
phenomenon associated with an earthquake that may produces adverse
effects on human activities.
 HAZARDS are the natural phenomena that might impact an area or a
region. Hazards are the regardless of whether there is anyone present to
experience them or not.
 RISK refers to anything that could potentially be lost when the hazards
occurs.
 Even with the scientific and technological advancements, no single
instrument can predict when exactly an earthquake will happen. This
makes the risk from earthquake a real danger to anyone exposed to this
hazards.
 Earthquake hazards are generally classified as PRIMARY and
PRIMARY earthquake hazards are the direct results
of the movement of the ground.

1.Ground shaking
2.Landslide
3.Liquefactions
4.Surface ruptures
 Dr. Raymundo Punongbayan
 Dr. Raymundo Santiago Punongbayan served as the director of PHIVOLCS
from 1983 to 2002. in his almost two decades of leadership, he has manage a
transform PHIVOLCS into a world-renowed agency in the study of
volcanology and seismology.
 He was know for two events that literally shook the country, the 1990 Luzon
Earthquake and the eruption of Mount Pinatubo the following year
 He closely monitored Mount Pinatubo when it started to show volcanic
activities.
 His constant reminders to the residence of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga
before the volcano erupted convinced the people of the dangers that they
were about to face and made them evacuate to safety.
 GROUND SHAKING
 Ground shaking can be seen as both a hazard
created by earthquakes , and a trigger for other
hazard such as liquefaction and landslide.
 Ground shaking describes the vibration of the
ground when an earthquake occurs, usually
recorded in terms of intensity.
 Most of the damage from earthquakes is the result
from the shaking caused by seismic waves passing
beneath roads, buildings, bridges, and other
structures.
 LANDSLIDES
 Strong earthquake and ground shaking greatly increases the
likelihood of landslides in areas susceptible to ground failure.
 If the ground is saturated with water, the shaking will result in
more landslides.
 Landslide includes a wide range of ground movement such as
rock fall, rock slide, debris slide, and shallow debris flow.
 Typically, a magnitude -4.0 earthquake is strong enough to
trigger rock fall.
 Although, gravity acting on steep slope is the primary reason for
all landslides, there are other contributing factors:
• Over-steepened slopes created by erosion in
rivers, glaciers, or ocean waves.
• Rock and soil slopes weakened through
saturation by heavy rains.
• Excess weight from accumulation of rain or
snow.
• Weak slopes due to the stockpiling of rock or
ore from waste piles or from human made
structures.
LIQUEFACTION
 Liquefaction occurs when sand or soil and ground water
are mixed during the shaking of a moderate or strong
earthquake. When, the two are mixed, the ground becomes
very soft and exhibits properties similar to that quicksand.
 Liquefaction is a hazard in areas that have groundwater
close to the surface and have soil which is sandy.
 Liquefaction has been identified as responsible for
tremendous amounts of damage in historical earthquakes
around the world.
SURFACE RUPTURE
 When an earthquake event occurs, ground rupture
happens only at the area where the fault zone moves.
 Surface rupture is an offset of the ground surface when
fault rupture extend to the surface.
 Surface rupture is not a single line with a fixes width, but
a zone with variable width where fractures have
developed.
 These areas are called DEFORMATION ZONES.
Can animals predict earthquake?
PHIVOLCS recommends a five meter buffer zone from the edge of the deformation
zone for building structures.
Secondary earthquake hazards are the results of the primary hazards, which can
prove to be more catastrophic.
SECONDARY HAZARDS DUE TO EARTHQUAKE
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
1. TSUNAMI
2. SEICHE
3. FLOODING
4. FIRE
 TSUNAMI
 It is actually a huge wave caused by an earthquake that
originates under the ocean and can cause a great
destruction when it reaches the land.
 Apart from earthquakes, Tsunamis can also be generated
by landslides, underwater volcanic eruptions, or even an
event as far-fetched as an asteroid hitting the ocean.
 Tsunamis can be tens of feet high when they hit the shore
and can do enormous damage to the coastline .
 There are two types of tsunamis:

• LOCALLY-GENERATED TSUNAMIS- are

caused by earthquakes from nearby trenches.
• FAR-FIELD TSUNAMIS- are generated by
earthquakes from sources that are located farther
from the impact.
 Tsunami warnings are given mostly after a sizeable earthquake by different
earthquake and tsunami-monitoring agencies around the world. They aim to
give ample time for people to move to a safer place. Some of the risk factors
that you should consider if you are in areas susceptible to a tsunami are the
following.

1. If your area is near the coast or the elevation is

below the sea level.
2. If there were already previous tsunami events in
your area.
3. If the authorities have previously issued a tsunami
warning.
 SEICHE

 A seiche is a standing were in an enclosed or

partially-enclosed body of water.
 Triggered by earthquakes waves, seiches and
seiche-related phenomena have been observed on
lakes, reservoirs, swimming pools, bays, harbors,
and seas.
 FLOODING

 Apart from incessant rain, flooding can also be a result of

an earthquake. When tsunami hits land, the water that
remain can flood the costal areas.
 A landslides that hits a river can cause the water to swell
and pour out on the areas beside the rivers.
 When a earthquakes breaks a dam, the water flowing out
could cause massive flooding and the low lying areas.
 Not matter what the cause, flooding is also a possible
reason for loss of life and damage to property.
FIRE
 A major secondary hazards associated with an earthquake has
been the possibility of fires breaking out after an earthquake.
 At the turn of the century, most fires were the result of candles or
lanterns that were tipped over because of earthquakes.
 In today’s world, however, a myriad of possible sources of
ignition, such as gas line, electrical wires, and other utility wires,
have become available.
 Earthquake can also block access to sources of water to fight the
fire, or worse , block even the fire fighting equipment and
vehicles.
Lesson 3.2

INTENSITY AND
MAGNITUDE
MAIN IDEA:
There are two ways to describe the
strength of an earthquake:
magnitude and intensity
MAGNITUDE is a measure of earthquake size. This remains
unchanged with respect to the distance from earthquake origin.
INTENSITY, however, describes the degree of shaking caused by an
earthquake at a given place and decreases with distance from the
earthquake origin or epicenter.

Magnitude measurement requires instrumental monitoring for its

calculation, however, assigning an intensity requires a sample of felt
responses of the population. These felt responses were then graded
according to the EUROPEAN MACROSEISMIC SCALE. For example,
intensity 1 is not felt, 2 is scarcely perceptible, and 3 is weak; felt by a
few up to 12 assigned for total devastation.
 You may heard of the RICHTER SCALE used to study
earthquakes. In 1935, Charles Richer developed a system to measure
the magnitude (or amount of energy) of an earthquake. There is no
upper limit on the Richter scale; meaning, it could be used to measure
magnitude-10 earthquakes or more if one over occurred. The most
devastating earthquakes ever recorded are 8 or 9 on the Richter scale.
Another measurement used earthquakes is the modified scale which
measure intensity or how strong the effect of the earthquake are. The
intensity varies based on position relative to the epicenter of the
earthquake, so one earthquake does not have specific number from the
scale assigned to it as with the Richter scale.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology adapted its own scale called
PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale, which
measures how earthquake is felt based on its
effect on an area. It is represented by Roman
numerals- I being the weakest (scarcely
perceptible) and X being the strongest
(completely devastating.
 TABLE 5-2
PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale

Intensity Scale Description

Perceptible to under favorable

I circumstances. Delicately balanced
SCARCELY objects are disturbed slightly. Still
SCALE water in containers oscillates slowly.

Felt by few individuals at rest

II indoors. Hanging objects swing
SLIGHTLY slightly. Still water in containers
oscillates noticeably
FELT
 Felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of
buildings. Vibration is felt like one passing of a light
III truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some
WEAK people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water in
containers oscillates moderately.

Felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors.

Lights sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of
IV heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner,
plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of
MODERATELY wood framed buildings creak. Standing motor cars may rock
STRONG slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in
container oscillate strongly. Rumbling sound may sometimes be
heard.
Generally felt by most people indoor and outdoors. Many
sleeping people are awakened. Some are frightened, some run
v outdoors. Strong shaking and rocking felt throughout the
building. Hanging objects swing violently. Liquid spill from
STRONG filled open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably.
Shaking of leaves and twigs of trees are noticeable.
 Many people are frightened and run outdoors. Some
people lose their balance. Motorists feel like driving in flat
tires. Heavy objects or furniture move or may be shifted.
VI Small church bells may ring. Wall plaster may crack. Very
old or poorly-built houses and structures are slightly
VERY STRONG damaged though well-built structures are not affected.
Limited rock falls and rolling boulders occur in hilly to
mountainous areas and escarpments. Trees are noticeably
shaken.

Most people are frightened and run outdoors. People find

it so difficult to stand in upper floors. Heavy objects and
furniture overturn or topple. Big church bells may ring.
VII Old or poorly-built structures suffer considerably damage.
Some well-built structures are slightly damaged. Some
DESTRUCTIVE 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.
 People find it difficult to stand even outdoors.
Many well-built are considerably damaged.
Concrete dikes and foundation of bridges are
destroy by ground setting or toppling. Railway
tracks are bend broken. Tombstones may be
displaced, twisted or overturned. Utility posts,
towers and monuments mat tilt or topple. Water
VIII and sewer pipes may be bent, twisted and
VERY broken. Liquefaction and lateral spreading cause
DESTRUCTIVE human made structure to sink, tilt or topple.
Numerous landslides and rock falls occur in
mountain and hilly areas. Boulders are thrown
out from their positions particularly near at
epicenter. Fissures and faults rapture may be
observed. Trees are violently shaken. Water
splash or stop over dikes or bank or rivers.
 People are forcibly thrown to ground. Many cry and shake
with fear, most buildings are totally damaged. Bridges and
elevated concrete structures are toppled or destroyed.
Numerous utility posts, towers and monument are titled,
IX toppled, or broken. Water sewer pipes are bent, twisted, or
broken. Landslides and liquefaction with lateral
DEVASTATING spreading's 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 on slops over
dikes and banks

Practically all human made structures are

destroyed. Massive landslides and liquefaction,
large scale subsidence and uplifting of land forms
X and many ground fissures are observed. Changes
COMPLETELY in river courses and destructive seiches in large
lakes occur. Many trees are toppled, broken, and
DEVASTATING uprooted.
 GEOPHYSICIST
 Is someone who studies Earth using gravity,
magnetic, electrical, and seismic methods.
 Some geophysicist use the methods to find oil,
iron , copper and many other minerals.
 Geophysicists also help the industry builders
come up with sound decisions, as some evaluate
Earth properties for environmental hazards and
evaluate areas for dams or construction sites.
 SEISMOGRAPH OR SEISMOMETER
 It is used to measure the strength of an earthquake.
 It is measuring the instrument that creates
Seismogram, a record of the seismic wakes from an
earthquake.
 Seismograph or seismometer work based on the
principle of inertia that states a suspended mass
tends to remain still when the ground moves. The
motion between the suspended mass and the ground
will then be a measure of the grounds motion
activity.
THANK YOU PO!  