Unit 2: Geologic Hazards and Disasters

Unit 2 :
Geologic
Hazards and
Disasters
Lesson 1: Earthquake
Introduction:
An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that occurs in
different parts of the world. It can be very devastating, as it
can kill thousands of people within seconds. From 1910 to
2010, almost 1.5 million people were killed in the most
significant earthquakes that shook the world. Among them
are the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Tangshan, China in 1978
that killed 241,000 people; the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in
Introduction:
Port-au-Prince in 2010 that killed 220,000; the 8.0 magnitude
earthquake in Tokyo, Japan in 1923 that killed 130,000; and
the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan in
1948 that killed 110,000 (Lomnitz and Wisner, 2012).
On December 26, 2004, the Great Sumatran
Earthquake of magnitude 9.0 caused the Indian Ocean
tsunami, killing 280,000 people. Several countries were
affected such as Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and
Maldives. In 2011, the world witnessed the impact
Introduction:
of the Great East Japan earthquake that also triggered a

powerful tsunami. It resulted in 15,891 deaths, with 2,584
people missing (Wikepedia 2011). In the Philippines, the
most devastating earthquake was in 1976 when a 7.9
magnitude earthquake in Mindanao resulted in tsunami
killed 3,564 people. In 1990, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in
Central Luzon killed 1,660 people (Lomnitz and Wisner,
2012)
Introduction:
A recent study on the West Valley Fault in Metro

Manila predicts a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that can result
in 34,800 casualties and 118,200 injured person
(JICA,MMDA, PHIVOLCS, 2004).
Earth’s Four Basic Layers
Fault lines – are cracks on the earth’s surface

along which smaller plates move or slip against
each other.
Focus – the place where the energy is released like
an explosion.
Epicenter – the point that is immediately above t he
focus (Cramer 1991).
Active Fault – fault which has moved within the
last 10,000 years.
Magnitude – is a measurement of the total energy
released at the earthquake’s point of origin which is
below the earth’s surface.
Seismograph – the instrument that measures
magnitude.
Richter Magnitude Scale – is used to measure the
strength of an earthquake.
Earthquake Hazards
Ground Shaking – is caused by the passage of
seismic waves beneath structures.
P-waves or primary waves – are the first set of
waves that cause the surface to roll up and down.
S-waves or secondary waves
– more
destructive waves make everything rotate as in a
spinning wheel.
Earthquake Hazards
Ground Rupture – is the displacement of the
ground to the violent shaking of the surface.
Vertical Displacement
Horizontal Displacment
Earthquake Hazards
Liquefaction – takes place when there is an
increase in water pressure in saturated soils
because of ground shaking.
Earthquake Hazards
Ground Subsidence – the lowering of the land
surface occurs for many reasons such as the
extraction of ground water and natural gas, mining
and earthquake.
Earthquake Hazards
Tsunami – is a series of large waves
resulting from the disturbance of sea water
commonly due to an earthquake.
Near-field or local tsunamis
Far-field or distant tsunamis
Earthquake Preparedness and Risk Reduction
BEFORE
1.The key to effective disaster prevention
is planning.
2.Prepare your place of work and
residence for the event.
3.Familiarize yourself with your place of
work and residence.
4.Most causes of injuries during
earthquakes are from fall objects.
Earthquake Preparedness and
Risk Reduction
DURING
1.If you are inside a structurally sound building, stay
there!
2.If you are outside, move to an open area.
3.When driving a vehicle, pull to the side of the road
and stop.
4.If you are along the shore and you feel a very strong
earthquake, strong enough to make standing difficult, it
is always safest to assume that a tsunami has been
triggered.
Earthquake Preparedness and
Risk Reduction
AFTER
1.If you are inside an old structure, take the fastest and
safest way out!
2.Do not use your telephone to call relatives/friends.
3.Help reduce the number of casualties from the
earthquake.
4.Check your surroundings.
5.If you must evacuate your residence, leave a message
stating where you are going.

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Unit 2 :

of the Great East Japan earthquake that also triggered a

A recent study on the West Valley Fault in Metro

Fault lines – are cracks on the earth’s surface

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