Disaster Readiness and

Risk Reduction
Quarter 2 – Module 2:
Causes of Other Related
Geological Hazards
 Lesson

2 Causes of Geologic Hazards

Geologic hazards pose a threat to humans and properties alike. The different types
of geologic hazards were discussed in the previous module. How these actually occur
is also discussed in the previous lesson.

In this module we’re about to discuss the possible causes of these geologic hazards
in order to be prepared for possible threats.

What’s In

Activity 1: Determine if the illustration is a landslides or a sinkhole and determine

its type. Choose from the spool of words inside the box below.

Avalanche Debris flow Rock fall

Cover collapse Dissolution Slumping
Cover-subsidence Lateral spread Soil creep

1.
5.
 6.

3.
2. 7.

4.
 What’s New

Activity 2: Essay. Recall a specific place where you have seen and
encountered a landslide or a sinkhole. Construct a brief essay about it.
Include in your essay the following details:
1. What geologic hazard have you seen?
2. Describe what you saw and explain why that place is vulnerable to
landslides or sinkholes.
3. What effects might it cause if it happens?

In case you have no experience in seeing such geologic hazard, you may interview
someone in your household or community who has seen or encountered a landslide
or sinkhole.
Criteria 4 3 2 1 TOTAL
SCORE
Focus All information Most of the Some of the Very little of
is distinct and information information the
focused on the is distinct is relevant to information
topic. and focused the topic. is focused on
on the topic. the topic.
Organization With One or two Inconsistent No evident
exceptional of the arrangement arrangement
arrangement of content is in of content of ideas.
content and logical order with no
subtle with some transition.
transitions. evidence of
transition.
Required The essay All required All but 1 are Several
Elements includes elements are included on required
required included on the essay elements are
elements as the essay missing
well as
additional
information
from their
personal
perspective.
Content All content is Most of the Some of the Very little of
strongly information content the content is
interconnected is limited with relevant to
and developed sufficiently inadequate the topic.
with adequate developed elaboration
explanation. and oft eh
explained explanation
adequately.
 What is It

There are different causes of landslide and sinkhole. Any of the triggers are
only caused by a triggering element. A landslide can be caused by a natural or
mechanical factor / human. Natural causes of landslides can be due to Climate,
Earthquakes, Weathering, Flooding, Volcanic Activity, Forest Fires and Gravity
while Humans triggered landslides triggered by mining or clear cutting of trees.
In this lesson, we will discuss the causes of geological hazards such as
landslides and sinkholes. Types of landslide will also be addressed with you so that
you will be able to determine the various effects of rainfall-induced landslides and so
that you will be able to determine the soil or soil response in such a situation. It is
crucial that you know the various cause of landslide so that you can also process the
interaction of these causes with each other in mind.

CAUSES OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS

 LANDSLIDE
NATURAL CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES
– Climate
Long-term climatic changes can significantly impact soil stability. A
general reduction in precipitation leads to lowering of water table and
reduction in overall weight of soil mass, reduced solution of materials
and less powerful freeze-thaw activity. A significant upsurge in
precipitation or ground saturation would dramatically increase the level
of ground water. When sloped areas are completely saturated with
water, landslides can occur. If there is absence of mechanical root
support, the soils start to run off.

– Earthquakes
Seismic activities have, for a long time, contributed to landslides
across the globe. Any moment tectonic plates move, the soil covering
them also moves along. When earthquakes strike areas with steep
slopes, on numerous occasion, the soil slips leading to landslides In
addition, ashen debris flows instigated by earthquakes could also
cause mass soil movement.

– Weathering
It is the natural procedure of rock deterioration that leads to weak,
landslide-susceptive materials. It is brought about by the chemical
action of water, air, plants and bacteria. When the rocks are weak
enough, they slip away causing landslides.
– Erosion
Erosion caused by sporadic running water such as streams, rivers,
wind, currents, ice and waves wipes out latent and lateral slope
support enabling landslides to occur easily.

– Volcanic eruption
If an eruption occurs in a wet condition, the soil will start to move
downhill instigating a landslide. Stratovolcano is a typical example of
volcano responsible for most landslides across the globe. Volcanic gases
partially dissolve in groundwater which turns into acidic hydrothermal
systems that weakens rock by altering minerals to clay.

– Forest fires
Burns vegetation that holds soil in place. Since it takes time for
vegetation to re-establish on steep slopes, the risk of landslides prevails
or up to 20 years in dry climates. Wildfire removes the protective ability
of vegetation which increases runoff, erosion, and debris flow because
the water cannot penetrate through the soil thus carrying the debris
downslope. burrowing insects also play a role by aerating the soil
destabilizing it during a wildfire because they tend to seek for cooler
soil to survive.

– Gravity
Steeper slopes coupled with gravitational force can trigger a massive
landslide. Steeper slopes can also cause the debris to move farther from
the foot of the area.

HUMAN CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES

– Mining
Mining activities that utilize blasting techniques contribute mightily to
landslides. Vibrations emanating from the blasts can weaken soils in
other areas susceptible to landslides. The weakening of soil means a
landslide can occur anytime. Earthwork alters the shape of a slope,
imposing new loads on an existing slope.

– Clear cutting
Clear cutting is a technique of timber harvesting that eliminates all old
trees from the area. This technique is dangerous since it decimates the
existing mechanical root structure of the area. It changes the amount
of water infiltrating the soil.
 Rainfall-Induced landslides are the most common and
widespread damaging landslides in the Philippines, with an average of
20 typhoons each year due to prolonged or heavy rainfall. Most
rainfall- induced landslides are shallow (less than a few meters deep),
thin, and move quickly.

Rainfall can be a cause for landslides, but soil conditions are also
very critical. Researchers wanted to take into account a number of
variables, including weather type, soil type and land-cover
characteristics. However, there was no single source for the data they
needed.

The features of precipitation occurrences, including the

accumulated volume of rainfall, length and severity, and the slope of
the terrain show the greatest effect on the stability of the slope and the
rate of occurrence of landslides and debris. In addition, the
precipitation-induced landslide depends on the type of land covered and
the type of soil. In short, the cause of rainfall-induced landslides still
rely on the factors mentioned.

Types of Landslide

1. Soil Creep Landslide is a very slow downslope movement of

particles that occurs in every slope covered with loose, weathered
material (Britannica dictionary).

The level of creep induced by one rainfall has a strong

association with the amount of rainfall and changes in soil
moisture. For the valley-head slope, the dirt creeps down and
accumulates a hollow portion of the head at the bottom of the
bottleneck, under which the dirt is compressed and forms a wave-
shaped soil.

2. Slumping Landslide is a
downward movement of rock debris,
usually the consequence of removal
of buttressing earth at the foot of a
slope of unconsolidated material
(Britannica dictionary).
3. Debris Flow Landslide happens
when the slope becomes saturated
with water, this then triggers a
landslide of water-soaked mass of
rock and soil that slides down the
slope.

Colluvial landslide in a debris flow valley is a common

occurrence that is quickly caused by rainfall. The direct
destructiveness of this type of landslide is limited, but if failure occurs,
the resultant blockage of the channel can lead to a series of magnified
secondary hazards. For this cause, it is important to explore the
possible response of this type of landslide to rainfall.

4. Rock Fall landslides are sudden slides

caused by heavy rain the rock on the slope loosens
and then slides down the slope.
 SINKHOLE
NATURAL CAUSES OF SINKHOLE
– Dissolution of sedimentary rocks
 Sinkholes occur when sedimentary rocks are dissolved. When these
rocks are dissolved, it can either form a void of water or air. A void
filled with air forma a hole and a void filled with underground water
makes a lake or a pond. Sinkholes can be in the form of holes or
depressions on the ground.

HUMAN CAUSES OF SINKHOLE

– Underground water pumping
 Pumping water underneath the ground causes drainage to alter
their flow which causes the soil to be eroded by water. Broken
pipes underneath the ground can also cause internal erosion
making a void underneath the ground. Altering drainage systems
cause water to branch into other routes where there is soluble
rock can cause erosion through the flow of water.

Types of Sinkholes
- Different types of sinkholes are made by various causes.

1. Cover Collapse Sinkhole

Develop abruptly (over a period of

hours) and thus cause catastrophic
damages. They occur where the
covering sediments contain a
significant amount of clay. Over
time, surface drainage, erosion, and
deposition of sinkhole into a
shallower bowl-shaped depression
2. Cover Subsidence Sinkhole

Develop gradually where the

covering sediments are permeable
and contain sand. In areas where
cover material is thicker or
sediments contain more clay,
cover-subsidence sinkholes are
relatively uncommon and
therefore may not be seen
frequently. They are smaller and
thus may go undetected for long
periods.
3. Dissolution Sinkhole
Occur in areas where
limestone is exposed at
land surface or also is
covered by thin layers of
soil and permeable sand.
Dissolution of the
limestone or dolomite is
most intensive where the
water first contacts the rock surface. Aggressive dissolution also occurs
where flow is focused in pre-existing openings in the rock, such as along
joints, fractures, and bedding planes, and in the zone of water-table
fluctuation where groundwater is in contact with the atmosphere. Solution
sinkholes are generally small in size and also slow to develop.

4. Artificial Sinkhole
These types of sinkholes can be caused by various human activities,
including groundwater pumping and construction activities. However, the most
common activities that result in artificial sinkholes are mining, drilling,
considerable changes in weight, as well as a tremendous increase in water
flow, such as a construction of an artificial pond.
 What’s
More
Activity 3: Word Hunt
Find eleven causes of landslides in the pool of letters below. Encircle your answer.

M W P Y M S G W I H V P L B J V
K I A O L I R D E E O O E H O N
E N N U U O A S T A B O N L G A
E N M I N B V O A G K G C N O N
L E E G N T I Y M I F A M O K O
I R S L J G T K I D N E S I A I
M K W A I U Y U L I G R F S D T
S A E B L R P A C K X D E O A U
T T A A E Y K E O F S O M R Y L
S E T W E A R T H Q U A K E C O
U H H S I U I K L S Z S T W I S
J S E L P U M P I N G G A I Q S
T G R T O P W E T I L U Y K A I
N O I T A T S E R O F E D R V D
V O N G G A I N D P U T F U T V
N K G I S P E R I F T S E R O F

Categorize the words that you found into Natural and Human Causes of Geologic
Hazard:
Natural Causes Human Causes
 What I Have Learned

Activity 4. Complete the following sentences.

Landslide and sinkholes are both geological hazards but are distinctly different.
Complete the following paragraphs based on what you have learned in the lecture.
Rubrics: 10 points for each paragraph. The student will be given 1 point for the first
two lines, 2 points the third line, and 3 points for the last two lines of the paragraph.

Landslide
I have learned that causes of landslides can either be or .
Their effect to the environment and people is/ are . These are
cause by and intensify the
occurrence of landslides by .

Sinkhole
I have learned that causes of sinkhole can either be or . Their
effect to the environment and people is/ are . These are
caused by and intensify the
occurrence of sinkhole by .

What I Can Do

Activity 5:
Read the article on this Link https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10064-009-0205-2
title “The 17 February 2006 rock slide-debris avalanche at Guinsaugon, Philippines:
a synthesis” by Guthrie et. al..Write notes describing the event and the conditions
that have led to its occurrence. Construct a reflection paper regarding the article.
Your paper should include the following:
1. Summarized version of your notes including details.
2. Explanation of your point of view regarding the article.
3. Relationship between the possible causes of the event.
 Criteria’s 4 3 2 1 TOTAL
SCOR E

Focus All information Most of the Some of the Very little of

is distinct and information information the
focused on the is distinct is relevant to information is
topic. and focused the topic. focused on
on the topic.
the topic.

Organization With exceptional One or two of Inconsistent No evident

arrangement of the content is arrangement arrangement
content and in logical of content of ideas.
subtle order with with no
transitions. some transition.
evidence of
transition.

Required The essay All All but 1 are Several

Elements includes required included on required
required elements the essay elements are
elements as are missing
well as included
additional on the
information essay
from their
personal
perspective.
Content All content is Most of the Some of the Very little of
strongly informatio n content the content is
interconnecte d is sufficiently limited with relevant to
and developed developed inadequate the topic.
with adequate and elaboration
explanation. explained oft eh
adequately explanation
Criteria’s 4 3 2 1 TOTA L
SCOR
E

Focus All Most of the Some of the Very little of the

information information is information is information is
is distinct distinct and relevant to the focused on
and focused focused topic. the topic.
on the topic. on the topic.
Organization With One or two of Inconsistent No evident
exceptional the content is arrangement arrangement of
arrangement in logical of content ideas.
of content order with
 and subtle some with no
transitions. evidence of transition.
transition.
Required The narrative All required All but 1 are Several
Elements includes elements are included on required
required included on the essay elements are
elements as the essay Missing
well as
additional
information
from their
personal
perspective.
Content All content is Most of the Some of the Very little of
strongly information content the content
interconnect is sufficiently limited with is relevant to
ed and developed inadequate the topic and
developed and elaboration has no
with explained of the documentati
adequate adequately, explanation on.
explanation with proper with some
supported documentati documentati
with on. on.
documentati
on.