VARIOUS

POTENTIAL
EARTHQUAKE
HAZARDS
EARTHQUAKE
HAZARDS
DISASTER READINESS AND RISK
REDUCTION (WEEK 7)
What is an Earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden release of energy
in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.

What causes Earthquakes?

Most earthquakes occur due to the movement
of tectonic plates, which are large pieces of
the Earth's crust that fit together like a jigsaw
puzzle.
 Types of Faults
Faults are fractures or cracks in the Earth's crust where movement occurs.

Normal faults Reverse faults Strike-slip faults

Occur when rocks move apart Occur when rocks are pushed Occur when rocks slide
due to tensional forces. together due to compressional horizontally past each other
forces. due to shear forces.
 Magnitude of • Magnitude is a measure of the

an Earthquake energy released by an

earthquake.

• The Richter scale is used to

measure the magnitude of an
earthquake, ranging from 0 to
10 or more.

• Each whole number increase on

the scale represents a tenfold
increase in the amplitude of the
seismic waves.
 Seismic Waves There are two main types
Seismic waves are the energy waves
that radiate outward from an
of seismic waves
earthquake's epicenter.
• Primary (P) waves: Fastest waves
that compress and expand rocks in
the direction of wave propagation.

• Secondary (S) waves: Slower waves

that shake the ground perpendicular
to their direction of travel.

Surface waves: Slowest waves that

move along the Earth's surface and
cause the most damage.
 Seismograph

• A seismograph is an instrument used to record and measure the

motion of the ground during an earthquake.

• It consists of a stationary base and a suspended weight or mass

that remains stationary during an earthquake but records the
motion of the ground.
 Seismograph

• A seismograph is an instrument used to record and measure the

motion of the ground during an earthquake.

• It consists of a stationary base and a suspended weight or mass

that remains stationary during an earthquake but records the
motion of the ground.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
GROUND SHAKING
Can cause buildings, bridges, and other structures to
collapse.

LIQUEFACTION
This separates the grains from each other, reducing their
load bearing capacity. Buildings and other structures can
sink down into the ground or tilt over, whilst underground
pipes and tanks may rise up to the surface.

LANDSLIDES
Slopes become unstable, leading to the downhill
movement of soil and rocks.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
GROUND SHAKING
Can cause buildings, bridges, and other structures to
collapse.

LIQUEFACTION
This separates the grains from each other, reducing their
load bearing capacity. Buildings and other structures can
sink down into the ground or tilt over, whilst underground
pipes and tanks may rise up to the surface.

LANDSLIDES
Slopes become unstable, leading to the downhill
movement of soil and rocks.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS LIQUEFACTION
This separates the grains from each other, reducing their
load bearing capacity. Buildings and other structures can
sink down into the ground or tilt over, whilst underground
pipes and tanks may rise up to the surface.

LANDSLIDES
Slopes become unstable, leading to the downhill
movement of soil and rocks.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
LANDSLIDES
Landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down
a sloped section of land. Landslides are caused by rain,
earthquakes, volcanoes, or other factors that make the
slope unstable. Geologists, scientists who study the
physical formations of the Earth, sometimes describe
landslides as one type of mass wasting. The term
“landslide” encompasses five modes of slope movement:
falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. These are
further subdivided by the type of geologic material
(bedrock, debris, or earth) debris flows (commonly refer
as mudflows or mudslides) and rock falls are examples of
common landslide types.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
LANDSLIDES
Landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down
a sloped section of land. Landslides are caused by rain,
earthquakes, volcanoes, or other factors that make the
slope unstable. Geologists, scientists who study the
physical formations of the Earth, sometimes describe
landslides as one type of mass wasting. The term
“landslide” encompasses five modes of slope movement:
falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. These are
further subdivided by the type of geologic material
(bedrock, debris, or earth) debris flows (commonly refer
as mudflows or mudslides) and rock falls are examples of
common landslide types.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
LANDSLIDES
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
SURFACE FAULTING
Surface faulting is the differential movement of the two
sides of a fracture at the Earth's surface and can be
strike-slip, normal, and reverse (or thrust). Combinations
of the strike-slip type and the other two types of faulting
can be found. Although displacements of these kinds can
result from landslides and other shallow processes,
surface faulting, as the term is used here, applies to
differential movements caused by deep-seated forces in
the Earth.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED SUBSIDENCE

Earthquake-induced ground subsidence, or

lowering of the ground surface, often occurs
during earthquakes. This may be due to
downward vertical displacement on one side of a
fault, and can sometimes affect a huge area of
land. Coastal areas can become permanently
flooded as a result.
PRIMARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED SUBSIDENCE

Earthquake-induced ground subsidence, or

lowering of the ground surface, often occurs
during earthquakes. This may be due to
downward vertical displacement on one side of a
fault, and can sometimes affect a huge area of
land. Coastal areas can become permanently
flooded as a result.
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
FLOODING
Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is
normally dry.

TSUNAMIS
Underwater earthquakes can generate large ocean
waves that travel long distances.

FIRE
These fires can be started by broken gas lines and power
lines, or tipped over wood or coal stoves.
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
FLOODING
An earthquake can rupture (break) dams or levees along
a river. The water from the river or the reservoir would
then flood the area, damaging buildings and maybe
sweeping away or drowning people.
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
TSUNAMIS
Tsunamis and seiches can also cause a great deal of
damage. A tsunami is what most people call a tidal
wave, but it has nothing to do with the tides on the
ocean. It is a huge wave caused by an earthquake under
the ocean. Tsunamis can be tens of feet high when they
hit the shore and can do enormous damage to the
coastline. Seiches are like small tsunamis. They occur on
lakes that are shaken by the earthquake and are usually
only a few feet high, but they can still flood or knock
down houses, and tip over trees.
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
TSUNAMIS
Tsunamis and seiches can also cause a great deal of
damage. A tsunami is what most people call a tidal
wave, but it has nothing to do with the tides on the
ocean. It is a huge wave caused by an earthquake under
the ocean. Tsunamis can be tens of feet high when they
hit the shore and can do enormous damage to the
coastline. Seiches are like small tsunamis. They occur on
lakes that are shaken by the earthquake and are usually
only a few feet high, but they can still flood or knock
down houses, and tip over trees.
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
TSUNAMIS
Two kinds of Tsunami. There are two types of tsunami
generation: (1) local tsunami (2) and far field or distant
tsunami. The coastal areas in the Philippines especially those
facing the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, Sulu Sea and
Celebes Sea can be affected by tsunamis that may be
generated by local earthquakes.

Local tsunamis are confined to coasts within a hundred

kilometers of the source usually earthquakes and a landslide or
a pyroclastic flow. It can reach the shoreline within 2 to 5
minutes.

Far field or distant tsunamis can travel from 1 to 24 hours

before reaching the coast of the nearby countries. These
tsunamis mainly coming from the countries bordering Pacific
Ocean like Chile (1960 2010, 2015),
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING TSUNAMI
1. Feeling an earthquake. If the ground shakes under your feet
in a coastal region, a tsunami may have been caused by a
strong undersea earthquake. However, you may not feel an
earthquake if the event is far away.

2. Seeing ocean water disappear from the beach, bay or river.

Before a tsunami arrives, water may recede from the shoreline
before returning as a fastmoving wall of water. If you notice the
water is disappearing, tell your family and friends and prepare
to move inland or to higher ground.

3. Hearing an unusual roaring sound. If you hear a loud roar

approaching (a bit like a passenger jet or a train), tell your
family and friends. It could be a tsunami approaching. These
signs are popularized as SHAKE-DROP-ROAR for better recall.
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
FIRE
These fires can be started by broken gas lines and power
lines, or tipped over wood or coal stoves. They can be a
serious problem, especially if the water lines that feed the
fire hydrants are broken, too. For example, after the Great
San Francisco Earthquake in 1906, the city burned for
three days. Most of the city was destroyed and 250,000
people were left homeless.

Most of the hazards to people come from man-made

structures themselves and the shaking they receive from
the earthquake. The real dangers to people are being
crushed in a collapsing building, drowning in a flood
caused by a broken dam or levee, getting buried under a
landslide, or being burned in a fire.
SECONDARY EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
FIRE
 Earthquake While we cannot predict when or where an
earthquake will occur, being prepared can save
Preparedness lives and reduce damage.

• Create an emergency plan: Designate meeting points,

emergency contacts, and evacuation routes.

• Prepare an emergency kit: Include essentials like

food, water, first aid supplies, and a flashlight.

• Secure heavy furniture and objects: Use wall brackets

and fasteners to prevent them from falling during an
earthquake.

• Practice drop