Earthquake Hazards

In this chapter, you will able to:

1. Identify various potential earthquake hazards;
2. Recognize the natural signs of an impending tsunami;
3. Analyze the effects of the different earthquake hazards;
4. Interpret different earthquake hazard maps; and
5. Apply precautionary and safety measures before, during, and
after an earthquake
The Philippines is prone to many natural hazards. Our country is situated in
what is known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is a horse shoe-shaped basin
located in the Pacific Ocean. It is bounded by subducting tectonic plates,
the Philippine Sea Plate in the east and the Eurasian Plate in the west. Off-
shore earthquakes can occur along trenches. Inland earthquakes are
generated by the movement of active faults, the longest of which is the
Philippine Fault, a 1300-km fault that traverses from the ilocos Region in
the north to Eastern Mindanao in the south.
The earth itself consist of 20 massive tectonic plates which are constantly
moving, creating gigantic compressed pressure that produces seismic
activities and causes earthquake
THE ORIGIN OF AN EARTHQUAKE
The earth is made up of different layers: the inner core, outer
core, mantle and crust. The outermost and thinnest layer is the
crust, which tends to crack, the reason for the presence of
tectonic plates. The boundaries of the tectonic plates are where
most earthquakes occur.
An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground due to the
fleeting seismic waves (s-waves) when concretion of rocks move
toward or against each other
Earthquakes may be volcanic or tectonic in origin. A volcanic
earthquake is produced by the rising movement of magma
beneath a volcano. A tectonic earthquake is produced by the
sudden movement of rocks along faults and plate boundaries.
An earthquake originates at the focus or hypocenter, a point
inside the Earth where the earthquake begins. The epicenter is
the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus. Often,
the greatest damage can be experienced near the epicenter.
THE STRENGTH OF AN EARTHQUAKE
Magnitude
Is the amount of energy release during an earthquake. An earthquake has
only one magnitude, regardless of where the measurement is made.
An earthquake is recorded by an instrument known as seismograph. There
are around an 20 earthquakes recorded each day but most are too
negligible to be felt. The energy released at the focus is given by its
magnitude which is recorded and calculated by a seismograph.
Intensity
is the estimate of the effects of an earthquake on people, structures, and
environment. The intensity of an earthquake varies, depending on where
you are in relation to the epicenter.
Intensity is the strength of an earthquake that is felt in a certain locality. It
refers to the numerical rating based on relative effects to people, objects,
environment and structures in the surroundings. The intensity is generally
higher near the epicenter.
A natural phenomenon, such as earthquake, can be violent and
catastrophic. The shaking and rumbling of the Earth is the most terrifying
experience that a person may encounter in a lifetime. The sudden onset of
an earthquake can displace populations, damage properties, and destroy
cities.
EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
Hazard is any potential and possible source of danger that poses harm to
any vulnerable target. It is also a possible source of danger in the event of
a disaster. Earthquake hazards include any physical phenomenon
associated with an earthquake that may produce adverse effects on human
activities.
EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
Most earthquake hazards come from man-made structures and
the shaking that they receive from the quake. The real dangers are
being crushed inside a collapsing building, drowning in a flood,
getting buried in a landslide, or being crushed in a fire.
Earthquake affects millions of lives and damage billion dollars’
worth of properties. Being aware of aftermaths of an earthquake
is essential n lessening its destructive effects
Different types of potential
earthquake hazards

1. Ground shaking

Ground shaking is one of the main

signs of an earthquake. Ground
shaking occurs when forces within
the Earth’s crust surpasses the
strength of the rock beneath the
surface.
 2. Ground Rupture

is the deformation of the

ground that marks the
intersection of the fault with
the Earth’s surface. Fissures
are some of effects of
ground rupture.
 3. Liquefaction
Is a phenomenon that occurs when
the soil is saturated that is, when
every individual particle of the soil
is filled with groundwater. It is
when sediments behave like liquid,
much similar to quicksand. It
makes the soil lose its strength to
be compact in response to stress
produce by the earthquake.
 4. Earthquake-Induced
Ground Subsidence and
Landslide

Apart from the ground rupture,

ground shaking, and liquefaction
an earthquake-induced landslide
may occur during or after
earthquake. Is a down slope
movement of rocks, soil and other
debris. It is a geologic hazard
commonly triggered by a strong
shaking.
5. Tsunami
Another serious and powerful hazard is the tsunami (sue-nahm-ee). It is a
series of huge waves commonly triggered by an earthquake that originates
under the ocean and has a magnitude equal to or greater than 6.75 on the
Richter Scale. It can also be the result of a volcanic eruption, a submarine
rockslide, or an asteroid or meteoroid that crashed through the ocean.
About 80% of tsunamis are formed in areas of the Pacific Ocean along
the edges of the undersea tectonic plates known as the Pacific Ring of
Fire.
A tsunami is likely to happen when there is
unexpected drawback, when water recedes
quickly. As a tsunami approaches a shoreline,
water may recede from the coast, exposing the
ocean floor, reefs, and fish. When this happens
while you are in the beach, you should run
swiftly toward higher ground.
Earthquake Drills
It is important to orient people on earthquake preparedness in order for
everyone to be aware of what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
During an earthquake, school children are one of the most vulnerable. As
such, it is important for school administrators and teachers to know how to
properly conduct safe evacuation procedures. Teachers must guide their
students and teach them how to protect themselves.
The conduct of an earthquake drill requires planning and designing an
evacuation procedure, as well as orientation for teachers and students
regarding proper steps and expected behaviour during the drill.
Earthquake drills are simple ad easy to do. They only require planning
ahead and constant practice.
The conduct of an earthquake drill is different from that of a fire
drill. In a fire drill, the sound of a siren or bell means that a fire is
ongoing and all occupants of the building are to immediately
evacuate to ensure their safety. In an earthquake drill, the sound
of a siren or bell indicates that a strong shaking is on going and
the level of ground shaking prevents people to stand and move
around. To do so can cause more injury to the person as debris
can fall and hurt him. One is not suppose to get out of the
building while the shaking is ongoing.
Objectives of Conducting Earthquake Drills in Schools
An earthquake is a natural phenomenon. It cannot be prevented. It can
strike suddenly and quickly, without warning. It can damage lives an
properties
The following are the objectives of conducting regular earthquake drill
in schools:
 To ensure the safety of parents, students, teachers and staff during and
after a damaging earthquake;
 To help school administrators and their disaster action groups to design
a specific response plan of the school for earthquakes;
 To train teachers, school staff and students on how to practice proper
action and response during earthquakes; and
 To test various elements of the response plan designed by the School
Disaster Management Committee (SDMC)
Planning, Conduct and Implementation of Earthquake Drills
Stage 1: Planning or organizing the earthquake drills
Stage 2: developing the School Earthquake Evacuation Plan
Stage 3: orientation prior to the conduct of earthquake drills
Stage 4: actual conduct of earthquake drill
Phases of an Earthquake Drill
Phase 1: Alarm
a pre-arranged signal such as the sound of a siren or bell should be known to all.
During the drill, that sound indicates an earthquake or shaking.
Phase 2: Response
while the sound of the siren is ongoing, everyone should move away from windows,
glass, or light fixtures. In this phase everyone should duck, cover and hold under desks,
tables or chairs. Remain in this position until the “shaking” stops.
Phase 3: Evacuation
once the “shaking” stops, teachers and students should evacuate the school building
and proceed using pre-determined routes to the designated evacuation areas.
Phase 4: Assembly
at the designated evacuation area, students must be grouped together according to
the class where they belong
Phase 5: Head Count
teachers should check and make sure all students are counted for.
Phase 6: Evaluation
an evaluation of the drill must be conducted to identify problems encountered
during the drill and how this can be corrected in future earthquake drills