DISASTER READINESS

AND RISK
REDUCTION
SECOND SEMESTER- QUARTER 2
LESSON 2
EARTHQUAKE-
INCLUDED
LANDSLIDES
LESSON 2- DRRR
Landslides sometimes
occur during or after an
earthquake. How does an
earthquake induce a
landslide?
Have you ever noticed that
most of the landslides reported
on the news are usually
associated with heavy rain or
typhoons
You hear terms like debris flow,
avalanche, slope failure, and
the culprit is often because of
human activities such as
deforestation and mining.
Can landslides occur occur
without any human
influence?
Is rainfall the only natural
trigger for landslides?
Mass wasting, more commonly
known as a landslide, is the
downslope movement of rocks or
sediments under the influence of
gravity.
LANDSLIDES
It is the process that follows
weathering or the removal of rock or
debris from their original source.
Landslides can be triggered by
factors such as heavy or prolonged
rain, over steepened slopes, removal
of vegetation, and earthquakes.
 An example of a landslide due to an
earthquake occurred on July 6, 2017 when
a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the
island of Leyte. The epicenter was located
15.5 km northeast of Ormoc City. This
earthquake triggered liquefaction and
landslides that resulted to damages of up
to at least Php 271M.In this lesson, we
shall focus on earthquake-induced
landslides.
 Vibrations from an earthquake and
its aftershocks can displace
significant amounts of rock or
sediment. For an earthquake to
induce landslides, the following
factors must be considered: the
strength of the earthquake, the
distance from the fault, topography,
climate, and the characteristics of
the rock or soil.
 Keefer (1984) determined that the
minimum magnitude required to trigger a
landslide is 4.0. The 2006 Guinsaugon
landslide in Southern Leyte was the result
of a magnitude 2.6 earthquake. It is
important to note, however, that other
factors were at play in this disaster. Aside
from the earthquake, the landslide was
also caused by intense, prolonged rainfall
and creep.
Creep is the gradual, almost
imperceptible downward
displacement of sloping rock
or soil caused by buildup of
significant strain.
 Earthquake-induced landslides are
more likely to occur in areas located at
a certain distance from the fault. In the
case of the 1990 Luzon earthquake,
landslides were not confined to the
immediate vicinity of the Digdig
segment of the Philippine Fault. They
were observed as far as Lagayan, Abra
in the north, Dingalan, Aurora in the
southeast, and Agoo, La Union in the
west. These locations are hundreds of
kilometers from the epicenter.
 Specific topographies have a greater
likelihood of experiencing earthquake-
induced landslides. These landslides
typically occur in hilly and mountainous
areas, especially in portions where the
slope is cut to build roads and other
man-made structures. Moderate to
steep slopes promote the gravity-
driven movement of rock and
sediments.
 Extended periods of rainfall increase the
moisture content of the soil/sediments on a
slope, making these materials more susceptible
to earthquake-induced failure. This was what
happened during the 2006 Guinsaugon
earthquake and landslide. Southern Leyte
experienced excessive rainfall on the days
leading to the earthquake on February 17,
2006. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical,
and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) reported a rainfall of 683.6 mm from
February 8-14.
The characteristics of the rock or soil in an area
affects the occurrence of earthquake-induced
landslides. Old, weathered rocks are more
prone to collapse from ground shaking than
younger, relatively unweathered ones. Loose,
unconsolidated materials are more likely to fall
in the event of an earthquake than indurated
rock. However, when the rock (even an
indurated one) has fractures and other planes
of weaknesses, earthquake-induced landslides
may occur.
 How soon a landslide occurs after an
earthquake varies. It can be abrupt, giving you
little time to prepare or flee. In some cases,
there are warning signs you can watch out for.
These include:
● cracks or bulges in the road or ground that
weren’t there before;
● increased soil content in streams;
● leaning poles or walls;
● a rumbling sound that grows louder (indicating the
approach of a landslide); and
● unusual sounds such as cracking trees and
colliding rocks.
 The effects of earthquake-induced landslides can
be minimized by avoiding construction on or near
steep slopes and natural drainage ways. Knowing
what kind of material your house is built on and if
there are any nearby faults or earthquake-
generating structures can help you plan what to do
and evacuate, when necessary. Stabilizing slopes
or walls of rock also reduces the chances of an
earthquake-induced landslide.
 REMEMBER!!!
The following factors affect the
occurrence of an earthquake- induced
landslides: the strength of the
earthquake, the distance from the
fault, topography, climate and the
characteristics of the rock or soil, and
the man- made changes or structures
on the area.
 An earthquake-induced landslide
susceptibility map is useful in
determining vulnerable areas. Maps
prepared by PHIVOLCS for the
different regions of the Philippines
are available on their website. These
take into consideration two factors:
critical acceleration and intensity.
Note that the legend includes two intensity
scales, the Modified Mercalli Intensity
(MMI), and the PHIVOLCS Earthquake
Intensity Scale (PEIS). Both scales do not
have a mathematical basis; the levels are
based on the effects of the earthquake
observed. Higher numbers indicate greater
structural damage or shaking felt. PEIS
was developed specifically for the
Philippine setting and takes into account
the geography and geology of the country.
INTENSITY AND
THEIR
DESCRIPTION
 I SCARCELY PERCEPTIBLE - Perceptible to people under favorable
circumstances. Delicately balanced objects are disturbed slightly. Still
Water in containers oscillates slowly.
II SLIGHTLY FELT- Felt by few individuals at rest indoors. Hanging objects
swing slightly. Still Water in containers oscillates noticeably.
III WEAK - Felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings.
Vibration is felt like one passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea are
experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water
in containers oscillates moderately.
IV MODERATELY STRONG - Felt generally by people indoors and by some
people outdoors. Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a
passing of heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner, plates,
glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed
buildings creak. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in
containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillate strongly.
Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard.
V STRONG - Generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors. Many
sleeping people are awakened. Some are frightened, some run outdoors.
Strong shaking and rocking felt throughout building. Hanging objects swing
violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink; some are broken. Small, light and
unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open
containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably. Shaking of leaves and twigs
of trees are noticeable.
VI VERY STRONG - Many people are frightened; many run outdoors. Some
people lose their balance. motorists feel like driving in flat tires. Heavy
objects or furniture move or may be shifted. Small church bells may ring.
Wall plaster may crack. Very old or poorly built houses and man-made
structures are slightly damaged though well-built structures are not
affected. Limited rockfalls and rolling boulders occur in hilly to
mountainous areas and escarpments. Trees are noticeably shaken.
VII DESTRUCTIVE - Most people are frightened and run outdoors. People find it
difficult to stand in upper floors. Heavy objects and furniture overturn or topple.
Big church bells may ring. Old or poorly-built structures suffer considerably
damage. Some well-built structures are slightly damaged. Some cracks may
appear on dikes, fish ponds, road surface, or concrete hollow block walls. Limited
liquefaction, lateral spreading and landslides are observed. Trees are shaken
strongly. (Liquefaction is a process by which loose saturated sand lose strength
during an earthquake and behave like liquid).
VIII VERY DESTRUCTIVE - People panicky. People find it difficult to stand even
outdoors. Many well-built buildings are considerably damaged. Concrete dikes
and foundation of bridges are destroyed by ground settling or toppling. Railway
tracks are bent or broken. Tombstones may be displaced, twisted or overturned.
Utility posts, towers and monuments mat tilt or topple. Water and sewer pipes
may be bent, twisted or broken. Liquefaction and lateral spreading cause man-
made structure to sink, tilt or topple. Numerous landslides and rockfalls occur in
mountainous and hilly areas. Boulders are thrown out from their positions
particularly near the epicenter. Fissures and faults rapture may be observed.
Trees are violently shaken. Water splash or stop over dikes or banks of rivers.
IX DEVASTATING - People are forcibly thrown to ground. Many cry and shake
with fear. Most buildings are totally damaged. bridges and elevated
concrete structures are toppled or destroyed. Numerous utility posts,
towers and monument are tilted, toppled or broken. Water sewer pipes are
bent, twisted or broken. Landslides and liquefaction with lateral spreadings
and sand boils are widespread. the ground is distorted into undulations.
Trees are shaken very violently with some toppled or broken. Boulders are
commonly thrown out. River water splashes violently on slopes over dikes
and banks.
X COMPLETELY DEVASTATING- Practically all man-made structures are
destroyed. Massive landslides and liquefaction, large scale subsidence and
uplifting of land forms and many ground fissures are observed. Changes in
river courses and destructive seiches in large lakes occur. Many trees are
toppled, broken and uprooted.
 Do you
have any
questions?
THANK YOU AND KEEP
SAFE!!!