Disaster Readiness

and Risk Reduction

 Chapter 4
Earthquake Hazards
 Learning Objectives
• Identify various potential earthquake
hazard;
• Recognize the natural signs of an
impending tsunami and other
earthquake hazard;
• Analyze the effects of the different
earthquake hazard;
• Intepret different earthquake hazard
maps; and
• Apply precautionary and safety
messures before, during, and after an
 Section 4.1
Ground Shaking
 Section Objectives

1. Describe how seismic waves are

generated.
2. Differentiate how each type of seismic
waves shakes the ground during an
earthquake.
3. Analyze the effects of vibration on the
ground and man-made structures.
4. List ways to minimize or avoid the damage
that ground shaking may cause.
 How Earthquake Vibrations are
Generated?

Most natural earthquakes are caused by

sudden slippage along a fault zone.
Slippage along a fault is hindered
because there are irregularities on the
fault plane. If it were smooth, blocks on
opposite sides of a fault will just slide
past each other continuously.
• Until it overcomes the resistance posed by any
irregularity on the fault plane. When the slippage
does occur, energy is released. The elastic
energy released is transported by seismic
waves that travel throughout the earth.

• This theory was discovered by making

measurements at a number of points across a
fault. Prior to an earthquake, it was noted that
the rocks adjacent to the fault were bending.
These bends disappeared after an earthquake
suggesting that the energy stored in bending
the rocks was suddenly released during the
earthquake.
 How Do Seismic Waves
Shakes the Ground?

• There are three main types of seismic waves, each

of which shake the ground differently, P (Primary)
and S (Secondary) waves are called body waves
radiate out of the earth. Upon reaching the earth’s
surface, these are converted to surface waves that
travel outwards from the epicenter.
 Activity 1

OBJECTIVE: discover various natural phenomena and

when these can be considered hazards.
 When Does a Hazard
Become a Disaster?

 A disaster happens when the probable destructive

agent, known as the hazard, hits a vulnerable
populated area.

 Therefore, a natural event like a volcanic eruption or

tsunami becomes a disaster only if it hits vulnerable
populations and properties.
The Relationship between Hazard,
Disaster, and Vulnerability
 Activity 2

OBJECTIVE: review disaster concepts and distinguish

between the various types of hazards.
 Section Assessment
1. Name three natural phenomena that your
community considers as hazards. Explain why they
are considered as hazards.
2. Explain what is meant by “Buildings kill people, not
earthquakes”.
3. Is the large magnitude of a natural hazard a
guarantee for a disaster? Why or why not?
4. Explain how a seemingly harmless normal river
situated in the middle of a rapidly developing city
may cause a disaster.
 Section 1.2
Disaster Risk
 Recognizing the Differences
of Disasters

No two disasters are alike. And although some are

definitely similar, appreciating their differences in
terms of their nature and magnitude of triggering
hazards, exposed elements at risk, and
vulnerabilities will help us deal with potential
disasters.
 Factors That Determine the
Magnitude of Disaster

1. The severity of the natural event

2. The quantity of exposure of the elements at risk which

includes lives and properties

3. Vulnerability level or quality of exposure

 The Elements of Risk

 Thus, Disaster Risk can be expressed as a function of

hazard, exposure, and vulnerability

or

Disaster Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability

Disaster Risk Reduction through
Reduction of Exposure and
Vulnerability
 Activity 3

OBJECTIVE: formulate a qualitative risk map from

analysis of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.
 Section Assessment
1. What are the elements of disaster risk? Explain the
significance of each element of disaster risk in
determining the odds of a disaster happening and
its impacts.
2. What advantages do qualitative determination
disaster risk and its elements have over quantitative
estimates of these?
3. How would people, the business sector, and
government institutions benefit from measuring the
relative level of disaster risk?
4. Given that the occurrence of potentially hazardous
natural phenomena cannot be prevented, discuss in
terms of the elements of disaster risk ways by which
disasters and disaster risk can be minimized.
 Section 1.3
Nature and Effects of Disasters
 It Pays to Be Aware

Being aware of the nature of hazards and what

these can do to people and other elements at risk
is the first step in every effort to minimize the
effects of disasters.
 Characteristics of Disasters
• Disasters are inherently unexpected or come
quickly with little or no warning, resulting in,
widespread death, injury, and property damage.

• Disasters cannot be managed through normal

means, thus, they often require immediate and
effective intervention of both national
government agencies (NGAs) and non-
government organizations (NGOs) to help meet
the needs of the victims.
 Characteristics of Disasters
• They know no political boundary.
• They require restructured and new responding
organizations.
• They create new tasks and requires more
people as disaster responders.
• They render inutile routine emergency response
equipment and facilities.
• They worsen confusion in understanding roles
of peoples and organizations
• They expose lack of disaster planning,
response and coordination. Inexperienced
disaster organizations often fail to see what
their proper roles are.
 Impacts of Disasters
• Deaths
• Destruction or damage to homes and buildings
• Destruction of crops and decreased quality or
quantity of water
• Medical effects
• Damage to critical facilities
• Disruption of transportation
• Wider economic impact
• Global environmental change
• Social and political impact
 Activity 4

OBJECTIVE: analyze the human and economic impacts

of recent notable disasters and the effects of these
impacts to the economic and social development of a
country.
 Section Assessment
1. Do more unpredictable natural hazards cause more
damage and casualties? Why or why not?
2. What would you consider as the worst impact of
disasters? Why?
3. Can you consider spending to make a school or an
office building earthquake-proof as good
investment? Why?
4. Assuming that a country like the Philippines can
afford, what portion of its annual budget should it
spend for disaster-related programs? How justified
is this figure?
5. What would you consider a better policy, focusing
on preparedness and other pre-disaster programs or
on post-disaster-related concerns (relief, rescue,
and rehabilitation)? Explain your answer.