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Disaster Readiness

and Risk Reduction


Chapter 7
Other Geological Hazards—
Bolide Impact, Ground
Subsidence, and Coastal Erosion
Learning Objectives
• To recognize the existence of a hazard caused
by the interaction of the earth with
extraterrestrial objects
• To identify the causes and potential effects of
a possible large bolide impact;
• To explain the major causes of ground
subsidence in the Philippines
• To explain how the perennial process of
coastal erosion could pose a threat to life and
property
Section 7.1
Bolide Impact
What Is an Impact Event?
Bolide Classifications
Projectile from space could either be…

• Asteroids ‒ are large stony and/or metallic


chunks which are confined in the region
between Mars and Jupiter, called the
asteroid belt.
• Comets ‒ are combinations of ice, rock
fragments, and dust which come from
either the Oort cloud, or from the Kuiper
belt.
• Meteoroids ‒ are stony, iron, and stony-
iron chunks, also from the asteroid belt,
that are still traveling in outer space.
Bolide Impact Facts
• Bolide impacts happen almost anywhere and
they have happened a lot more than what we
might think!
• Meteorite impact craters on Earth may not be
that abundant because of weathering,
erosion, volcanism, and tectonic activity.
• The only impact craters on Earth that can still
be seen are the younger ones, the larger
ones, or those which hit areas which are
tectonically stable and are not subject to
modification by active surface processes.
Evidence of Past Impacts
• Impact Crater
• Meteorite/s
• Materials like tektites, impact breccia, shatter
cones, impact spherules, shocked quartz,
coesite
• Chemical traces such as anomalously high
levels of iridium
• Geophysical signatures like circular magnetic
and gravity (density) anomalies and seismic
reflection images
Activity 1

OBJECTIVE: This activity will let the students


demonstrates how impactor size, impactor velocity,
and the angle of impact all influence the pattern and
magnitude of damage during a bolide impact. This
activity therefore sheds light on the importance of
monitoring near-earth objects (NEOs) and describing
these as detailed as possible.
What Are the Potential Effects of a
Large Impact Event?
• Very strong earthquakes reaching up to
magnitude 13 in the Richter scale and,
subsequently, aftershocks of gradually
decreasing magnitude
• Drastic changes in climatic conditions
• Wildfires
• Tsunamis
• Acid rain
Section Assessment
1. What are the sources of bolide impact objects? Why
do scientists study these?
2. What is the estimated recurrence interval of impact
of a 1000-km wide object?
3. If impacts can actually happen very frequently, how
come there are only a few indicators of impact (i.e.,
impact craters) on earth?
4. Do all bolide impact events have devastating
effects?
5. What are the other hazards that bolide impacts may
trigger? What preparedness measures can be taken
for these?
Section 7.2
Ground Subsidence
What Is Ground Subsidence?

Ground subsidence is the relative lowering of the


earth’s surface usually with respect to the mean sea
level. It can be a result of any of the following:
dissolution and collapse of limestone, excessive
groundwater withdrawal, mining, oil and gas
extraction, earthquakes, and change of season.
Causes of Ground Subsidence

• Carbonate dissolution and collapse


• Excessive groundwater withdrawal
• Extraction of oil and natural gas
• Earthquakes
• Underground mining methods
• Isostatic rebound
• Change in season
Activity 1

OBJECTIVE: This activity will let the students analyze


changes in groundwater level that cause ground
subsidence.
Effects of Ground Subsidence

• Sudden ground collapse events can be


catastrophic but are usually isolated and very
limited in expanse.

• Slow subsidence can proceed almost


unnoticeably but may still cause serious,
widespread damage to property.
Mitigating Subsidence-Related
Hazards
• Map out the areas which are subsidence-prone
and to either avoid development in the area or
adapt by modifying or strengthening structures.

• Areas which experience subsidence are prone to


severe, extensive, and prolonged flooding so
structures and roads, for instance, could be
elevated, and dikes and pumping or drainage
systems can be constructed.
Section Assessment
1. List the causes of ground subsidence and based on
the knowledge of the triggering processes, explain
ways to arrest subsidence.
2. How is ground subsidence distinguished from land
adjustment due to ground rupture?
3. What is the best way to avoid the effects of ground
subsidence?
4. What engineering remedial measures can be applied
to buildings affected by ground subsidence?
Section 7.3
Coastal Erosion
What Is Coastal Erosion?

Coastal erosion is a natural process which shapes


shorelines by the wearing away of coastal land or
beaches, mainly by the impact of waves along the
shoreline. Sand particles and rock fragments
carried by the high-energy waves crashing into
headlands accelerate the process.
Natural Causes of Coastal Erosion

• Waves
• Currents
• Tides
• Wind-driven water
• Ice
• Rainwater
• Groundwater
• Wind
Man-made Causes of Coastal Erosion
• Removal of vegetation cover exposing sediment
to wind and water action
• Concentration of drainage water flow into the sea
causing erosion of that part of the coast
• Construction of structures including coastal
erosion control structures that interfere with the
natural flow of coastal materials, causing erosion
in adjacent areas of the shore
• Building activities that damage natural protective
features
• Activities which destroy natural protective
features such as dunes and vegetation cover
• Shipping and boating activities producing extra
wave action
Managing Coastal Erosion
• Preservation of and restriction of activities and
development in natural protective features (e.g.,
dunes and beaches)
• Regulating coastal erosion protection structures to
ensure that natural protective features are not
damaged
• Prohibiting construction in areas of active coastal
erosion and in areas within reach of coastal storms
• Restricting development of public utilities in areas
prone to coastal erosion to discourage new
development in these areas
• Building coastal erosion protection structures only
when and where necessary (to prevent loss of lives
and property)
Activity 1

OBJECTIVE: This activity will let the students detect


and measure coastal erosion from satellite images
Section Assessment
1. In what ways can the natural process of coastal
erosion be accelerated?
2. Why is the Philippines very prone to the detrimental
effects of coastal erosion?
3. What is the easiest and low-cost method of
preventing damage due to coastal erosion?
4. Cite instances when the construction of protective
structures is considered not beneficial?

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