GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to describe the various hazards that may happen in the event of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
The Philippines is prone to geological events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. These natural events bring about different
hazards that may cause damage to infrastructures and endanger human lives. A geological hazard is a condition or event that may cause harm to
property and life as a result of a geological process such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide.

An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the ground caused by the release of energy from accumulated stress along the geologic faults or by
volcanic activity. It may cause collapse of buildings, tsunamis, landslides, and ground-level changes.

Earthquake hazards are events associated with an earthquake that may cause adverse effects on organisms and their environment.

 Ground shaking refers to the vibration of the land surface during an earthquake. The intensity of the vibration depends on the magnitude
of the earthquake and the distance from the epicenter. Ground shaking may cause partial or total collapse of buildings and structures.
 Ground displacement or surface rupture is the horizontal or vertical displacement of the ground surface along the fault zone. It affects
smaller area compared to ground shaking. However, it severely damages buildings and structures located adjacent to the faults.
 Liquefaction is the transformation of solid rocks and soil to a liquid‐like state during ground shaking. When it occurs, large rigid structures
may tilt or sink into the liquefied deposits.
 Tsunami is a set of long, high ocean waves caused by an earthquake or other disturbance under the sea. It causes flooding and
destruction of structures near the shorelines.
 Fire is caused by rupture of gas lines during ground shaking and displacement. It poses threat of explosions which may cause death and
destruction of property.

On October 15, 2013, a devastating earthquake happened in the province of Bohol. Its recorded magnitude was 7.2. The ground shaking and
displacement caused major damage of several government buildings schools and houses. At least 93 people had been reported dead after the
earthquake.
Volcanic eruption happens when materials such as magma, ash, and gas are released from a volcano due to a buildup of pressure inside. The
effects of an eruption can be on a local scale affecting the areas near the volcano (e.g. lava flow reaches nearby towns) or on a global scale (e.g.
volcanic ash particles on air change global temperature).

Volcanic eruption hazards are events associated with a volcanic eruption that may cause adverse effects on organisms and their environment.

 Lahar is a mixture of volcanic debris and water that flows at the slopes of the volcano. It destroys infrastructures, buries towns and crops,
and fills river channels.
 Pyroclastic fall is a mass of hot, dry pyroclastic material (mixture of ash and dust) and hot gases. It moves rapidly along the ground
surface. It buries towns and causes burns, injury, and damage upon impact.
 Volcanic gases are vapors released during an eruption. Some of these gases, such as hydrogen sulfide (HS) and sulfur dioxide (SO2),
are poisonous. They cause respiratory damage and death.
 Tephra falls are rock fragments and lava blobs ejected by a volcano. They damage structures, break power lines, kill vegetation, and
cause respiratory damage.

Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991. This eruption deposited about 5 km 3 of rock fragments and volcanic ash on the volcano’s slopes.
When a heavy rain fell on that day, the rocks and ashes were washed down into the surrounding lowlands in large, fast moving mudflows called
lahar. Lahar caused more destruction in the lowlands than the eruption itself.
A landslide, also called landslip, occurs when earth materials (rocks, debris, and soil) move downwards along a slope. It may be caused by
earthquakes or heavy rainfall. It can also be aggravated by human activities such as deforestation, blasting, and construction.

Landslide hazards are events associated with a landslide that may cause adverse effects on organisms and their environment.

 Mud flow is the flow of mud and rock. It may pick up trees, houses, and cars as it moves down the slope. It may block bridges and
tributaries causing flood along its path.
 Earthflow is the downward flow of fine-grained materials, such as clay, fine sand, and silt. It is slower than mudflow, but it inflicts the same
damage.
 Rock fall is the sliding, toppling, or falling of rocks along a slope. It disrupts road traffic in mountainous regions. When it hits a structure or
vehicle, it causes damage depending on the size of the rock and the force of impact.

A massive landslide happened on February 17, 2006 in Southern Leyte. The landslide caused widespread damage and loss of life. It was followed
by heavy rainfall and a minor earthquake. The official death toll was 1126.
Most geological events cannot be prevented from happening, though they can be predicted but with little precision. The government, from the
national to the local level, must continuously train people to be prepared for these events and plan strategies to mitigate or lessen the effects of
these hazards.

KEY POINTS
 A geological hazard is a condition or event that may cause harm to property and life as a result of a geological process such as earthquake, volcanic
eruption, or landslide.
 An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the surface of the Earth. It may cause ground shaking, ground displacement, liquefaction, tsunami, and
fire.
 Volcanic eruption happens when materials such as magma, ash, and gas are released from a volcano due to a buildup of pressure inside. It may bring
about lahar, pyroclastic fall, volcanic gases, and tephra fall.
 A landslide occurs when earth materials (rocks, debris, and soil) move downwards along a slope. It may bring about mud flow, earthflow, and rock fall.

HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to describe the various hazards that may happen in the event of tropical cyclones, monsoons, floods, and ipo-ipo.
The Philippines is located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific. It experiences an average of 20 typhoons every year. It is highly susceptible to
hazards brought by typhoons including floods, strong winds, storm surges, and landslides.

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A hydrometeorological hazard is a condition or an event that may cause harm to property and life as a result of a hydrometeorological process
such as tropical cyclone, monsoon, flood, and ipo-ipo.

A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating low-pressure system that forms over tropical oceans. It is called typhoon in the Philippines. The typhoons
entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) are given a local name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA). This agency monitors and disseminates information about weather disturbances.

Tropical Cyclone Hazards

Tropical cyclones or typhoons bring about hazards that may cause adverse effects on organisms and their environment.

 A flood is an overflow of water over a normally dry land. Due to heavy rainfall brought by a typhoon, the water levels in dams and rivers
increase. The water then overflows to nearby land areas. A flood can damage houses, buildings, and bridges. Flash flood, which is a
sudden, rapid flooding, may cause drowning and fatal injuries.
 A strong sustained wind is often brought by a typhoon. It can damage or destroy vehicles, buildings, bridges, fields, and plantations.
 A landslide is the movement of a mass of rocks, soil, and debris down a slope. It can be triggered by heavy rainfall.
 A storm surge is an abnormal rise of sea water due to a typhoon. It is created when water is being pushed toward the shore by the force
of the winds moving in a circular manner. It ravages beaches and coastal areas.

Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name Haiyan) was one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded. It caused massive destruction in the
Philippines on November 9, 2013. Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges caused widespread damage to properties and loss of lives. About 6000
people died and 28 000 were injured because of the typhoon.
A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind in the South and Southeast Asia. It brings a different kind of weather depending on where it comes from.
When it blows from the southwest between May and September, it brings rainy weather. When it blows from the northeast between October and
April, it brings dry weather. In the Philippines, the southwest monsoon brings about heavy rainfall.

Monsoon Hazards
A monsoon may bring about the same hazards caused by a typhoon. It may cause heavy rainfall, strong wind, landslide, and flood.

 Heavy rainfall and strong wind can damage residential and industrial buildings. It can also destroy agricultural crops.
 A landslide may happen when the soil becomes saturated with water due to heavy rainfall. The soil and rocks from the slope can move
down and destroy many properties along the way.
 A flood may occur due to heavy rainfall that saturates the soil and causes an overflow of water to dry land areas.

On August 1 to 8, 2012, the southwest monsoon (Habagat) caused typhoon-like damage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Heavy rainfall caused the
Marikina River to overflow, triggered a landslide, and caused the collapse of roads and bridges. The floods and rain left 95 people dead and damaged
8000 houses.

An ipo-ipo (tornado) is a violently spinning wind on land that appears like a funnel-shaped cloud. It can destroy large buildings, uproot trees, and
hurl vehicles.

Ipo-Ipo Hazard
The strong whirling wind can lift and hurl objects it encounters no matter how heavy the object is. It causes destruction of houses, buildings, dams,
and bridges. The lifted objects may also cause injuries and death upon impact.

Most geological events cannot be prevented from happening, though they can be predicted but with little precision. The government, from the
national to the local level, must continuously train people to be prepared for these events and plan strategies to mitigate or lessen the effects of
these hazards.

DO IT: Many typhoons bring strong winds and intense heavy rainfall which cause damages to properties and loss of lives. Using the internet,
research for the top 10 strongest typhoons that hit the Philippines. Then write down the effects of the typhoons to the humans and their environment.

KEY POINTS
 A hydrometeorological hazard is a condition or event that may cause harm to property and life as a result of a hydrometeorological
process such as tropical cyclone, monsoon, flood, and ipo-ipo.
 A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating low-pressure system that forms over tropical oceans. It may bring about strong winds, flood,
landslide, and storm surge.
 A flood is an overflow of water over a normally dry land.
 A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind in the South and Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, the southwest monsoon may bring about
heavy rainfall, landslide, and flood.
 A tornado or ipo-ipo is a violently spinning wind on land that appears like a funnel-shaped cloud. The strong whirling wind brought by a
tornado can lift and hurl objects it encounters.

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