EARTHQUAKE

The Philippine is considered as an earthquake prone area because the

Philippine Islands are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area encircling the
Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanic activities frequently occur.
 The Philippine archipelago lies between two major tectonic plates, the
Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate. Philippine Sea Plate is moving
towards the Philippine Archipelago at the rate of 7 cm per year. The
Eurasian Plate is being subducted along the western side of Luzon and
Mindoro and Northeast Zamboanga where collision is taking place. At the
intersection of these two plates is the Philippine Fault Zone.
HOW AN EARTHQUAKE OCCURS
An earthquake is a shaking or trembling of an earth’s crust. It is
caused when rock masses suddenly shift in position. As the rock
masses shift into new positions, the energy stored in the rock masses
is transmitted onto the surface in the form of seismic earthquake
waves. A seismic wave is simply energy that is transferred from one
area to another within the earth’s interior. Earthquakes release seismic
waves that is travel out from the epicentre along the surface of the
earth. They can cause destruction as they shake the ground
underneath the foundation or structure.
There are three main types of seismic waves: The body waves-
primary (P) waves and the secondary (S) waves and the surface (R
and L) waves.

Earthquake occurs when there is a sudden movement of the rocks

along the faults while plates move and when magma or molten rock
materials move due to gas pressure within volcanoes.
Earthquake can either be tectonic, volcanic or denotation ( man’s
activities that can produce artificial earthquake).
The strongest and the most devastating earthquakes are
attributed to the sudden movement of tectonic plates. This
earthquake is called tectonic earthquake.
Earthquakes usually happen along faults. Faults are cracks in the
Earth’s crust between two huge plates.
Volcanic earthquakes occur in areas that are associated with
volcanic activities. As the fluid magma rises to the surface, its pressure
fractures rock masses and causes continuous tremors that can be felt
on small scale.
TECTONIC EARTHQUAKE
DENOTATION (MARAWI SIEGE)
Measuring an Earthquake
MAGNITUDE OF AN EARTHQUAKE
A seismograph measures the magnitude of an earthquake. Magnitude
is an energy released by an earthquake. Magnitude is measured using
a Richter Scale. The Richter Magnitude Scale is used to describe
the strength of an earthquake based on the height of the wave
measured in the seismograph. For each increase of 1.0 in the
seismograph, it is ten times powerful than the one before it. The
Richter Scale Magnitude was created in 1935 by the American
seismologist Charles F. Richter.
INTENSITY OF AN EARTHQUAKE
Intensity is measured of how much damage earthquakes cause on
the surface. The shaking is measured on the Modified Mercalli
Scale. The modified Mercalli Scale was invented by Italian scientist
Giuseppe Mercalli in 1902. The rating intensities in Mercalli Scale is
based on the observation of damage brought by an earthquake in
particular place or location. The damage of n earthquake differs
greatly from place to place and depends on the distance from the
epicentre, type of surface beneath the structure, and the design or
quality of structures – like buildings or bridges – the place has.
EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The destruction caused by an earthquake depends on its

magnitude and extent of shaking. High magnitude and long ground
shaking during an earthquake can damage buildings and bridges.
The structures above the ground where strong earthquakes occur are
usually destroyed when ground ruptures occur. Ground ruptures can
destroy any structure in the area such as houses, building, dams,
bridges, and roads. Ground rupture is the breaking and displacement
of the earth’s surface along the trace of the fault. Ground rupture is
visible on the earth’s surface. We sometimes refer to this as cracks on
the ground. Ground ruptures can even separate rivers and roads by a
few meters in case of major earthquakes. They may also cause the
loss of people’s lives.
Earthquake can cause damage to buildings and other structures. It
may start a fire, cause changes in land features, landslides,
ruptures or cracks on the ground and may cause volcanoes to
erupt. Tsunamis and seiches are effects of earthquakes on
bodies of water.
 Tsunami
A tsunami is a huge underwater wave produced when an
earthquake occurs under the sea. A tsunami is formed when
rocks along a fault slip. The sudden movement of the rocks
produces a shockwave through the water above it and makes
powerful waves. The waves of the ocean’s surface spread out
across the ocean and reach the shallow water. The waves get
bigger and taller when the waves reach shallow water near land.
These waves submerge places in coastal areas. A tsunami is a
Japanese word means big wave or harbor wave or tidal wave.
(Tsu means harbour Nami means wave).
Tsunami waves can be 50 feet (15 meters) high. When a huge
tsunami hits the shore, it can cause terrible floods. The floods
wash away properties and damage buildings. Many people can
drown when a tsunami hits land.
 Landslide and Avalanche
Earthquakes can cause landslides and avalanches in
mountainous areas. Ground shaking loosens rocks and soil,
which causes the rocks and soil to slide and bury a town or area
below the mountain. In mountain covered with ice, avalanches
may occur. Landslides and avalanches cause damage to the
place below the hilly and mountainous areas where they occur.
 Fire
Earthquakes can cause fire. Fires can happen during an
earthquake when electrical power and gas line break. The extent
of damage caused by post-earthquake fires depends on the types
of building and materials used. Ruptures gas lines and
connections may lead to numerous fires that can claim several
lives.
 Seiche
A Seiche is a French word meaning “ To sway back and forth”,
is a standing wave that oscillates in a lake or any enclosed body
of water as a result of seismic or atmospheric disturbances
creating huge fluctuations of water levels in just moments. It
occurs in an enclosed body of water such as lake, bay or gulf.
 Liquefaction
Soil liquefaction occurs when a saturated or partially saturated
soil substantially loses strength and stiffness in response to an
applied stress such as shaking during an earthquake or sudden
change in stress condition, in which material that is ordinarily
solid behaves like a liquid. Helium can be obtained from the
liquefaction or natural gas.

Devastating Effects of Earthquakes

1. Haiti Earthquake, January 12, 2010 – The most destructive
earthquake of the 21st Century with 316,000 death toll.
2. Bohol Earthquake, October 15, 2013 – Ground rupture
and displacement of the earth’s surface occur along the
trace of the fault.
3. China’s Sichuan Province, May 13, 2008 – The province is
destroyed by a landslide caused by an earthquake
4. Fire occurs in Northern Japan after a strong earthquake
hits the area.
5. Tsunami waves occurred in Miyagi, Perfecture, Japan on
March 11, 2011 after an earthquake struck. The tsunami
waves as high as 23.6 m (77ft) touched Japan within
minutes of the earthquake.
6. Tsunami surges on March 11, 2011 in Half Moon Bay,
California after an earthquake in Japan. A tsunami
warning for Northern California has been issued.
 Earthquake Safety Precautions
Before, During and After Earthquakes

Since the Philippines is an earthquake country, we must learn how to

live knowing preventive measures and at proper safety awareness level. We
must plan and act properly before, during and after earthquakes to minimize
psychological damage, loss of property, and loss of lives.

Here are some tips that would be helpful when practiced before, during
and after an earthquake:

A. BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE
1. There must be a disaster coordinating center in the community to help in
times of earthquakes. The people in the community must be aware of its
existence and its location.
2. Store first-aid kits and the necessary survival materials in your home and
know where they are kept.
3. If possible, build earthquake – proof houses, buildings and
infrastructures.
4. be prepared emotionally and psychologically. Trust the Lord and do your
share of preparation.

B. DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
1. Indoors: stand against a wall with firm foundations or stand in the
doorway.
2. Outdoors: Stay out in the open, away from the electrical wires and tall
structures.
3. In a moving vehicle: Stop and stay inside.
4. At school: stay away from the windows and get under a desk or table.

C. AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
1. Stay away from the waterfront areas.
2. Expect aftershocks.
3. Stay away from damaged buildings.
4. Look for and get in touch with your family.
5. Be sensitive to the smell of gas or smoke and immediately call the
attention of persons responsible for it.