Disaster Readiness and

Risk Reduction
Quarter 2 – Module 1:
Earthquake Hazards and
Risk Reduction Methods

Name: ________________________
 Lesson

2 Earthquake Hazards

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.

What’s New

Who would not know the story of Popoy and Basha? In the movie, Popoy, who played the
role of an architect, was able to fulfill his stubborn vision of building calamity and
earthquake-proof housing projects.

Figure 2. One More Chance movie poster w

Source: Joy Lora, Joys of Asia, One More Chance-A Second Chance. 1204 x 867, Accessed June 2, 2020,
https://www.joysofasia.com/movie-review-a-second-chance-by-star-cinema/]

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Answer the following questions.

1. What do you think is the reason why Popoy thought of building earthquake-proof
houses?
- Though there’s no structure that will surely prevent houses, I think Popoy
thought of building earthquake-proof houses to at least have a better structure
of the house and somewhat prevent a big damages when it comes to
earthquake.
2. What are the possible hazards or dangers that can be caused by an earthquake?
- There’s lot of dangers caused by earthquake. Examples of which are; surface
faulting, ground shaking, landslide, liquefaction, tectonic deformation, tsunamis, and
seiches.
3. Based from your previous learnings, what are the materials and structural
features of an earthquake-proof house?
- Structural steel beams, poles, and concrete joints are just a few of the things
you'll need to think about. Concrete and wood-framed structures have varied
earthquake resiliency. It is advised to employ concrete slabs or steel for
concrete structures. In brick constructions, the same procedure can be used.

What is It

What are Earthquake Hazards?

Earthquake Hazards refer to earthquake agents which have the potential to cause harm
to a vulnerable targets 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,
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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 lead 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.

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 Most commonly used methods of reducing earthquake risks are as follows:
1. Effective recording and interpretation of ground motion

This can be done by effective instrumentation in order 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 a given 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 are able to withstand collapse by redistributing forces caused
by seismic waves through shear walls. Developing engineered structural designs
that are able to 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.

Source: Steel for earthquake-proof houses, Steel-Frames, 1600 x 680, Published Nov 6, 2017
by Posco Newsroom, Accessed June 2, 2020, https://dh4drhh3phab.cloudfront.net/en/wp-
content/uploads/2017/11/Steel-Frames.jpg

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.
Table 1. Program options that can be taken by government and private institutions to
reduce the risks of earthquake hazards
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 Source: adpc. (1001).
Earthquake Vulnerability
Reduction for Cities
(EVRC-2). Notes, 1, 1–10.

The options and benefits of vulnerability reduction mentioned above are based on
experiences in developed countries. A refinement of approaches is necessary for selecting
and implementing these options in developing countries.

Activity 1: Whatta Breakthrough!

Impact-proof desk developed for

pre-school students
Published April 28, 2019, 4:02 PM

A group of researchers from the

Philippine Normal University (PNU),
De La Salle University, and
Technological University of the
Philippines developed a high
impact-proof automated study desk
for preschool children following
recent consecutive earthquakes in
Luzon
Life-Saving Automated Mesa to Endure Seismic Activity or the
and Visayas. LAMESA (PHOTO COURTESY OF DOST / MANILA BULLETIN)

Called “LAMESA” for Life-Saving Automated Mesa to Endure Seismic Activity, the
desk serves as a “a survival tool and a teaching aid to initiate ‘active’ disaster
preparation,” according to PNU’s Dr. Marie Paz Morales,research team leader. This
was done to help educational institutions become more prepared for quake-related
disasters such as “The Big One”.

“The Big One”, a cataclysmic event that the Department of Science and
Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS)
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has been forewarning for years, is expected to reach up to magnitude 8.5. Such
massive force can substantially destroy populated areas in Metro Manila,
including residential areas, businesses, and schools.

“La mesa” or “mesa” means “table” in Filipino.

The desk—measuring 1.22 m in length, 0.69 m in width and 3.327 cm in tabletop

thickness—uses lightweight but highly strong and elastic materials to comply with
kindergarten standards. Its height of 0.57 m ensures that up to four
kindergarteners, with an average height of .91 m (or three feet), will be able to hide
under the table.

The steel table top is coated with epoxy paint to make it durable and slick, while
the steel legs come with rubber footings to minimize sliding during tremors. Its
center legs, meanwhile, support a storage

bin with sliding door for lighting devices plus ample food and water supplies for
up to nine kindergarteners.

Moreover, LAMESA is equipped with an accelerometer, a device that senses

motion, which feeds seismic measurements to a Wi-Fi-enabled microcontroller.
This microcontroller then simultaneously triggers the actuator which causes the
table top to fold 16 degrees upward.

LAMESA likewise has a built-in alarm system that activates when vibration levels
are above-normal. Further, it has a 13-bit liquid crystal display which shows the
intensity level and instructs people to evacuate when needed.

LAMESA combines technology with capacity building in terms of knowledge and

infrastructure to best address such probable disaster, particularly in educational
institutions.

According to the research team, they developed not only a resilient study desk for
kindergartens but also a warning system when earthquakes occur, a safety
infrastructure for students to use, and a learning tool to passive disaster
preparation of kindergarten.

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 ____________

Source: Dhel Nazario, Impact-proof desk developed for pre-school students, Manilla
Bulletin, April 28, 2019.

Guide Questions
1. What does LAMESA stand for?
- Lamesa stand for Life-Saving Automated Mesa to Endure Seismic Activity.
2. What type of materials in making this impact-proof desk?
- In order to make it more robust and smoother, the steel table top is covered
with epoxy paint, and the steel legs are equipped with rubber footings to
prevent slipping during earthquakes.
- In the meanwhile, it's middle legs serve as a storage unit.
3. What are the features of the desk?
- LAMESA likewise has a built-in alarm system that activates when vibration levels are
above-normal. Further, it has a 13-bit liquid crystal display which shows the intensity level and
instructs people to evacuate when needed. LAMESA's system and program design boast of good
peak ground acceleration.
4. At an expected magnitude of 8.5, how will you describe the strength and damage
does the Big One can bring?
- The Big One can bring suffering for the people for it is possibly very destructive.
5. How important is this invention for young children in school?
- They created not just a kindergarten study desk that can withstand
earthquakes, but also an earthquake warning system, a safety infrastructure
for pupils to utilize, and a learning tool for passive disaster preparedness.
6. Why do you think these scientists came up with these inventions?
- Because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is one of the
nations that sees a lot of volcanic activity and minor earthquakes. As a result,
scientists created the LAMESA. To better confront such a likely calamity,
particularly in educational institutions, LAMESA integrates technology with
capacity building in terms of knowledge and infrastructure . How important is
it to be prepared and be resilient?
7. How important is it to be prepared and be resilient?
- People need to be able to comprehend and overcome adversity because it
provides them the strength to do so. Overwhelmed people are more likely to
resort to poor coping techniques. ... The capacity of the body to adapt to
adversities and recover swiftly is referred to as physical resilience.

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Performance Task

Create a 12-box comic strip which encourages people to appreciate the value of knowing
earthquake hazards and risk reduction. You are certainly allowed to go beyond 10 boxes
if you want. The rubric below will serve as your guide and your teacher’s basis for rating
your output.
Table 2. Rubric for comic strip making
4 3 2 1

Action Actions make Most actions Some actions Actions never

sense from one make sense make sense make sense
panel to from one panel from one panel from one panel
another to another to another to another
Landscape and Relate to the Relate to the Relate to the Never relate to
props action and action and action and the action and
characters in characters in characters in characters in
all panels most panels some panels all panels

Textboxes and Well-written, Well-written, Well-written, Not well-

bubbles edited for edited for edited for written, not
punctuations, punctuations, punctuations, edited for
grammar and grammar and grammar and punctuations,
usage in all usage in most usage in some grammar and
panels panels panels usage in all
panels
Excitement Very interesting Somewhat Not interesting
and interest interesting interesting at all

What I Have Learned

1. Earthquake refers to the sudden shaking or trembling of the ground.

2. Earthquake Hazards can cause either primary or secondary effects.
3. Primary effects are permanent features produced by the earthquake (fault scarps,
surface ruptures, and offsets of natural or human-constructed objects).
4. Secondary effects result when ground movement causes other types of damage
(landslides, tsunami, liquefaction and fire).
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 5. There are ways to reduce the risks of an earthquake. These are as follows:
a. Accurate recording and interpretation of ground shaking
b. Making seismic hazard maps
c. Building resilient structures

Assessment

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. Which community will be least affected by an earthquake?

A. A community that is within 1km radius of the epicenter.
B. A community that experiences an earthquake with a depth of
focus of 100km.
C. A densely populated community that has no earthquake
preparedness measures in place.
D. A community that experiences an earthquake with a magnitude
of 7.5.

2. Which of the following is caused by a landslide or explosion under the oceans?

A. Tsunami C. Liquefaction
B. Ground rupture D. Fire

3. At convergent plate boundaries, _________________

A. Two plates slip past horizontally each other
B. Two plates move in opposite directions away from each other
C. Two plates move in opposite directions toward each other
D. Two plates are moving vertically

4. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about reduction of earthquake risks?

A. Careful analysis and interpretation of ground shaking
is unnecessary.
B. Strong and resilient buildings must be developed.
C. Hazards maps must be made.
D. Accurate data recording of earthquakes.

5. Which secondary effect of an earthquake is described as collapse of buildings

caused by earthquake vibrating water-saturated fill or unconsolidated soil?
A. Tsunami C. Landslide
B. Liquefaction D. Flood

6. Many divergent plate boundaries coincide with __________.

A. Volcano C. Edges of the continents
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 B. Mid-ocean ridge D. Transform faults

7. What might happen when ground shaking results to breakage of gas, electrical
lines and fuel lines, and overturning of stoves?
A. Liquefaction C. Fire
B. Subsidence D. Landslide

8. Which can help reduce the risk of an earthquake?

A. Through effective earthquake instrumentation
B. Building resistant structures
C. Hazard maps
D. All of the above

9. If you are at risk from earthquakes, what can you do to prepare for
an earthquake?
A. Choose a safe place in every room of your house like sturdy
tables or desk.
B. Develop a family disaster plan.
C. Educate yourself on earthquake safety measures.
D. All of the above

10. Which is not a cause of earthquake?

A. Movement of tectonic plates
B. Changing of soil density
C. Motion along earth’s faults
D. Shifting of bedrocks

11. Accurate data gathering, recording and interpretation of data pertaining to

ground shaking are all components of _______________.
A. Hazard mapping
B. Earthquake instrumentation
C. Structural engineering
D. None of the above

12. Which of the following is a primary hazard caused by an earthquake?

A. Cracks on the ground/ faults
B. Landslides
C. Liquefaction
D. Tsunami

13. When you are inside a building when earthquake begins, you
should _______________.
A. Run outside immediately
B. Duck, cover and hold on
C. Call your friends and relatives to let them know if you are okay
or not.

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 D. Go to an open space.

14. Which can be prevented by reinforcing slopes and rerouting of water passages?
A. Liquefaction
B. Subsidence
C. Tsunami
D. Landslide

15. During large earthquakes, which is responsible for the greatest number of
fatalities?
A. Flood and drowning
B. Large objects (buildings) fall on people
C. Fires
D. People buried alive

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