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Learning objectives
describe the various hazards that may happen in the event of
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides
Definition of Terms
Hazard – “a source of danger”
Risk - “The chance of loss to lives and damage to property”
Mitigation – to make (something) less severe, harmful, or painful
Earthquakes
Since 1968, the Philippine Institure of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHILVOLCS), the government agency overlooking
all seismic and volcanic activities in the Philippines, recorded 12
destructive earthquakes.
La Union and Pangasinan are prone to Earthquakes, due to the Manila Trench while Surigao del Sur and
Davao Oriental are at risk for earthquakes in Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Eastern Pangasinan, Benguet
and La Union can be attributed to its location along the Philippines Fault Zone.
Landslides
When earthquakes occur, the shaking and rupture are usually accompanied by other environmental risks
such as landslides.
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Earth and Life Science ABM
When earthquakes happen in humanmade embankments and natural slopes in mountainous areas, the
hazard and potential devastation greatly increases.
Volcanic Eruption
Tsunamis
Aside from landslides, tsunami is another risk caused by earthquakes or seismic activities that affect
bodies of water.
The Philippines, being an archipelago located in the region of the Pacific Ring of Fire, is constantly at
risk for tsunami.
In November 14, 1994, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Mindoro triggered a tsunami that left 41 dead.
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Earth and Life Science ABM
1. Sulu
2. Tawi-tawi
3. Basilan
4. Batanes
5. Guimaras
6. Romblon
7. Siquijor
8. Surigao del Norte
9. Camiguin
10. Mastbate
Sulu and Tawi-tawi are highly vulnerable to tsunamis due to their being in between two nearby trenches
(Sulu Trench and Cotabato Trench) and their dense population.
Similarly, most areas in Basilan and Romblon are at high risk especially because they have been
previously affected by tsunami.
o These are processes of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature that may cause the loss of life
or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
Ex. tropical cyclones, monsoon rains (habagat and amihan), tornado, ipo-ipo and thunderstorms, floods,
drought, wildfire and storm surges
Monsoon
A monsoon is a consistent reversal of wind pattern or a wind system generated by large weather system
affecting a large area over a period of several months
Southwest monsoon (habagat)
occur within the months of May and October
brings heavy rain to the Philippines, with the highest percentage of rainfall attributed to the
occurrence of tropical cyclones.
Northeast monsoon (amihan) – occur within the months of November and February
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Earth and Life Science ABM
Floods and 3D hazard maps are made and disseminated to areas which are usually hit by typhoons and
areas which are prone to flooding.
PAGASA issues public weather forecasts and advisories called Public Storm Warning in several mass
media to provide warnings related conditions.
In the past decade, they have used a four-level warning system.
Since the occurrence of Typhoon Yolanda, they deemed that the four-level system has become
inadequate, leading to the current five-level warning which has been modified as follows:
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SYSTEM
Level Wind and Lead Time
1 30-60 km/h; within 36 hours
2 60-120 km/h; within 24 hours
3 120-170 km/h; within 18 hours
4 170-220 km/h; within 12 hours
5 faster than 220 km/h; within 12 hours
PAGASA’s PSWS:
PSWS 1 – All classes in kindergarten are suspended.
PSWS 2 – All classes in elementary and high school are suspended.
PSWS 3 – All classes in all levels, including college and graduate schools, are suspended.
Aside from the PSWS, PAGASA also provides color-coded rainfall warning system in their storm
forecasts to help communities prepare for incoming heavy rain and potential flooding and act
accordingly.
o Throughout the world, there are more than three billion people are living within 200 km near coastlines.
o Living in coastal areas provides many benefits such as food production and revenue from tourism.
o Coastal area refers to the land and sea areas bordering the shoreline.
o It comprises the natural boundary between the land and ocean which may include the beach, dunes,
mangroves, estuary, delta, or lagoon, among others.
o As an archipelago located in the tropics, the Philippines is particularly susceptible to coastal hazards.
o The hazards of living near coastlines include dangers of waves, tides, erosion, flood or submersion, and
saltwater intrusion.
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Earth and Life Science ABM
- Building seawalls which run parallel to the sea prevents the direct impact of coastal processes to
landforms near the coast.
- Building groynes along with seawalls could also be helpful. Groynes are build perpendicular to
the beach to limit the movement of sediment and interrupt the natural flow of water and waves.
(wood, concrete, or pile of rocks)
Saltwater Intrusion
When saline water moves into freshwater aquifers, which are the main source of drinking water in
coastal areas, it often leads to contamination.
Intrusion of saltwater happens naturally because of the varying densities of saltwater and freshwater.
When the demand of freshwater is greater than the natural recharge rate of the aquifer ( primarily
though, the rate of saltwater intrusion increases, leading to the depletion of useable groundwater.
Mitigation
- Injection wells are built where freshwater in injection wells creates a hydraulic pressure or
barrier to saltwater intrusion.