1st Semester
Grade 12
Quarter 1/Week 6
Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
LESSON 6
Earthquake Hazards and Risk Reduction Methods
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Identify various potential earthquake hazards and ways to minimize it;
2. Appreciate the value of preparedness and resilience in disastrous situations
LESSON OVERVIEW
If earthquake is regarded as one of the most frightening natural disasters, that is
because seconds of its occurrence can be more destructive than days of a typhoon.
Besides, an earthquake comes with very little warning.
This module is intended to equip you with knowledge on various potential
earthquake hazards and reduction of its risks.
Introduction
An earthquake poses a lot of hazards which can contribute to large economic
and human losses, and represents a serious impediment to socioeconomic
development, creation of jobs and availability of funds for poverty reduction initiatives.
In this module you will be introduced to the different hazards brought about by an
earthquake. Earthquake hazard and risk assessment is a fundamental tool for
developing risk reduction measures and constitutes the first step to support decisions
and actions to reduce potential losses.
Discussion
In your previous lessons about earthquake, you have learned how an earthquake
starts, where it usually originates and the type of plate motion that usually causes an
earthquake. Now, it is essential for you to learn what are the impending threats and
hazards that go along with an occurrence of an earthquake. Ultimately, this will help you
develop sense of preparedness by equipping you with necessary knowledge on the
different earthquake hazards.
Let us refresh the following earthquake concepts:
• An earthquake is the vibration of Earth produced by the rapid release of energy within
the lithosphere.
• Earthquakes are caused by slippage along a break in the lithosphere, called a fault.
• The energy released by an earthquake travels in all directions from the focus in the
form of seismic waves.
• The movement that occurs along faults during earthquakes is a major factor in
changing Earth’s surface.
• Forces inside Earth slowly deform the rock that makes up Earth’s crust, causing rock
to bend.
• Elastic rebound is the tendency for the deformed rock along a fault to spring back after
an earthquake.
• An aftershock is an earthquake that occurs sometime soon after a major earthquake.
• A seismograph is a device used to record the motion of the ground during an
earthquake.
What are Earthquake Hazards?
Geologists explain that an earthquake is a type of hazard that depends on the
strength of seismic activity, along with such factors as local topographic and built
features, subsurface geology and groundwater. A large earthquake will always be
followed by a sequence of aftershocks that normally aggravates its effect on human and
material elements like buildings and infrastructure.
Earthquake Hazards refer to earthquake agents which have the potential to
cause harm to a vulnerable target which can either be humans, animals or even your
environment.
The effects of an earthquake can be classified as primary or secondary.
• Primary effects are permanent features an earthquake can bring out.
Examples include fault scarps, surface ruptures, and offsets of natural or human-
constructed objects.
• Secondary effects happen when ground movement results to other types of
destruction. Examples include landslides, tsunami, liquefaction and fire.
Below are the four earthquake hazards which are considered as secondary effects of an
earthquake:
1. Landslides
Seismic vibration is a common triggering mechanism for landslides. Landslides
can have particularly devastating effects like floods, blocking of rivers, death, and
damage to land and natural resources. Landslides can be prevented by reinforcing
slope material, modifying the pathway for surface and underwater and by putting piles
and retaining walls.
2. Tsunami
A tsunami is a huge sea wave triggered by a violent displacement of the ocean
floor. Underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or landslides can cause tsunami. As
it approaches a shallow coastline, its speed decreased, but the height of the tsunami
increases drastically, bringing so much damage to nearby communities. Tsunamis can
also overwhelm sewage systems, destroy structures, and kill people.
3. Liquefaction
Earthquake motion can turn loosely packed, water-saturated soil to liquid
—"liquefaction.” Liquefied soil becomes less compact and ultimately lose the ability to
support roads, buried pipes, and, of course, houses. It is caused by vibration or
saturation with water which causes the soil to decrease in density. This poses danger
for it leads to unstable structures of buildings due to ground subsidence.
4. Fires
Earthquakes cause fires. Even moderate ground shaking can break gas and
electrical lines, sever fuel lines, and overturn stoves. To further complicate things, water
pipes rupture, so it would be impossible to extinguish the fire.
Most used methods of reducing earthquake risks are as follows:
1. Effective recording and interpretation of ground motion This can be done by
effective instrumentation to determine the location, strength, and frequency of
earthquakes. This assists in providing alerts and warnings especially to high-risk or
vulnerable areas for preparation and emergency response.
2. Constructing seismic hazard maps, A seismic hazard map shows the potential
hazards in each area. In many regions in our country, seismic expectancy maps or
hazard maps are now available for planning purposes. It serves as basis for disaster
management information like locations for evacuation and evacuation routes. The
anticipated intensity of ground shaking is represented by a number called the peak
acceleration or the peak velocity.
3. Developing resistant structures Resistant structures can withstand collapse by
redistributing forces caused by seismic waves through shear walls. Developing
engineered structural designs that can resist the forces generated by seismic waves
can be achieved either by following building codes based on hazard maps or by
appropriate methods of analysis.
The Philippines is prone to natural calamities. For this reason, pushing for
programs that build calamity-proof housing projects must be given importance. Steel,
capable of withstanding enormous force without getting damaged, is usually used as
frame in making such houses for it provides great deal of security. Other essential
characteristics of steel are easy to maintain and can withstand the test of time and has
high strength to weight ratio. Moreover, it is proven to be eco-friendly.
In summary, one of the most common hazards inflicting tremendous damage to
human life an material properties is an earthquake. It is a natural phenomenon that
poses great danger due to various hazards it may bring. Though its impeding
occurrence can be predicted, the magnitude of its impact to a community and is people
is unpredictable. This makes earthquake one of the main foci of disaster preparedness
and emergency response activities of governments and different emergency agencies.
Reference:
E. Krausmann, S. Girgin, and A. Necci, Natural hazard impacts on industry and critical
infrastructure: Natech risk drivers and risk management performance indicators.
In International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (Vol. 40), 2019,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101163
Posco Newsroom, What It Takes To Build A Natural Disaster Proof House, Retrieved
June 2, 2020,https://newsroom.posco.com/en/takes-buildnatural-disaster-proof-
house/
DHel Nazario, Impact-proof desk developed for pre-school students, Manilla Bulletin,
April 28, 2019
S. A. Nelson, Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction for Cities (EVRC-2). Notes, 1, 1–10,
2016, http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/Natural_Disasters/eqhazards%26r. 1–7.
