INTRODUCTION TO DISASTER CONCEPTS
Hazard - a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human
activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other
health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and
services, social and economic disruption, or environmental
damage.
Disaster - a serious disruption of the functioning of a
community or a society involving widespread human,
material, economic, or environmental losses and impacts
which exceeds the ability of the affected community or
society to cope using its own resources.
Risk - the possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such
as an injury or a loss) will happen (Merriam-Webster)
Disaster Risk - exposure to natural or man-made hazards x
vulnerability.
Disasters are often described as a result of the combination
of:
I. The exposure to a hazard;
II. The conditions of vulnerability that are present, and;
III. Insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or cope with
the potential negative consequences
Disaster Risk factors are variables that either aggravate or
mitigate the effects of hazards, affecting the degree or scope
of a disaster.
(1) Physical factors would pertain to tangible objects or
infrastructure, like the availability of fire exits, or the
sturdiness of the building, or the presence or absence of
objects that can harm you or help you, etc.
(2) Psychological factors include state of mental capacity
and health (e.g. are we dealing with babies? Kids?
Adults? People with special needs?), perception of self
(e.g. self-assessment of capability to respond to
disasters, fear), etc.
(3) Socio-cultural factors include religion, social status,
traditions, perception by society, etc.
(4) Economic factors include assets and liabilities, income,
economic class, etc.
(5) Political factors include government structure,
diplomatic issues, etc.
(6) Biological factors include flora and fauna in
environment, health, diseases, etc.
ACTIVITY 1: Hazard Map (To be submitted on January 2,
2019)
1. In a short bond paper create a Hazard Map of your house.
List down at least 10 hazards present in your house.
Potential hazards should be colored in red and labeled
properly. Possible impacts of these hazards should be
noted by the scribe and reporters. Safe areas and paths
should be colored blue.
EARTHQUAKE
Potential Earthquake Hazards and their Effects
Earthquake is a feeble shaking to violent trembling of the
ground produced by the sudden displacement of rocks or
rock materials below the earth’s surface.
Two types of earthquakes:
Tectonic earthquakes are those generated by the sudden
displacement along faults in the solid and rigid layer of the
earth. Earthquakes induced by rising lava or magma beneath
active volcanoes are called volcanic earthquakes.
Fault refers to a fracture, fissure or a zone of weakness where
movement or displacement has occurred or may occur again.
Active fault has historical and contemporary seismicity, has
evidence of fault slip based on displaced rocks or soil units of
known age and displaced landforms; an active fault is
defined as a fault which has moved within the last 10,000
years.
The following are the most common earthquake-related
hazards:
Ground shaking – disruptive up-down and sideways
movement or motion experienced during an earthquake.
Ground rupture - displacement on the ground due to
movement of fault.
Tsunami- sea waves resulting from the disturbance of ocean
floor by an earthquake.
Liquefaction - is a process that transforms the behavior of a
body of sediments from that of a solid to that of a liquid when
subjected to extremely intense shaking.
Earthquake - induced landslide- failures in steep or hilly
slopes triggered by an earthquake.
ACTIVITY 2: Research Activity
Search the internet for any article/ material about a major
earthquake worldwide and local. Better if the earthquake
that occurred affected the local area (Philippines). Submit a
1-page report describing this event (When, What happened,
Effects to people and surroundings). Download photos of
impacts/effects/damages and include in your report. Write
and submit report. Use short bond paper and compile it in a
folder.
TSUNAMI
a series of giant sea waves commonly generated by under-
the-sea earthquakes and whose heights could be greater
than 5 meters. A tsunami is a Japanese word meaning
“harbor waves”. A tsunami is commonly generated by
disturbances associated with earthquakes occurring below
or near the ocean floor. It occurs when the earthquake is
shallow-seated and strong enough to displace parts of the
seabed and disturb the mass of water over it. In addition,
underwater volcanic eruptions and landslides can also
generate a tsunami.
Two kinds of Tsunami.
Local tsunamis are confined to coasts within a hundred
kilometers of the source usually earthquakes and a landslide
or a pyroclastic flow. It can reach the shoreline within 2 to 5
minutes.
Far field or distant tsunamis can travel from 1 to 24 hours
before reaching the coast of the nearby countries.
Natural signs of an impending tsunami
I. Feel an earthquake. If the ground shakes under your feet
in a coastal region, a tsunami may have been caused by a
strong undersea earthquake. However, you may not feel an
earthquake if the event is far away.
II. See ocean water disappear from the beach, bay or river
Before a tsunami arrives, water may recede from the
shoreline before returning as a fast-moving wall of water. If
you notice the water is disappearing, tell your family and
friends and prepare to move inland or to higher ground.
III. Hear an unusual roaring sound. If you hear a loud roar
approaching (a bit like a passenger jet or a train), tell your
family and friends. It could be a tsunami approaching.
Precautionary Measures for Earthquakes
1. What to do BEFORE an earthquake
I. The key to effective disaster prevention is planning.
A. Know the earthquake hazards in your area
B. Follow structural design and engineering practices when
constructing a house or a building
C. Evaluate structural soundness of the buildings and
houses; strengthen or retrofit if necessary
II. Prepare your homes, workplace or schools:
A. Strap or bolt heavy furniture, cabinets to the walls
B. Check the stability of hanging objects like ceiling fans and
chandeliers
C. Breakable items, harmful chemicals and flammable
materials should be stored properly in the lowermost
secured shelves
III. Familiarize yourself with the exit routes.
IV. Know where fire extinguishers, first aid kits, alarms and
communication facilities are located. Learn how to use
them beforehand.
A. Prepare a handy emergency supply kit with first aid kit,
canned food and can opener, water, clothing, blanket,
battery-operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries
V. Conduct and participate in regular earthquake drills

2. What to do DURING an earthquake.

I. When you are INSIDE a structurally sound building or
home…STAY there! Do the “Duck, Cover and Hold on”
A. If possible, quickly open the door for exit.
B. Duck under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it, or
protect your head with your arms
C. Stay away from glass windows, shelves and other heavy
objects
D. Beware of falling objects. Be alert and keep your eyes
open.
II. If you’re OUTSIDE.. move to an open area!
A. Stay away from trees, power lines, posts and concrete
structures
B. Move away from steep slopes which may be affected by
landslides
C. If you’re near the shore and feel an earthquake especially
if it’s too strong, MOVE QUICKLY TO HIGHER GROUNDS.
Tsunamis might follow.
III. If you’re in a moving vehicle, STOP and get out! Do not
attempt to cross bridges, overpasses or flyovers which may
have been damaged.

3. What to do AFTER an earthquake.

I. Be prepared for aftershocks. Once the shaking stops, take
the fastest and safest way out of the building.
II. DON’T… A. …use elevators B. …enter damaged buildings
C. …use telephone unless necessary D. …PANIC 63
III. CHECK… A. …yourself and others for injuries B. ..water
and electrical lines for damages C. …for spills of chemical,
toxic and flammable materials D. …and control fires which
may spread
IV. If you need to evacuate your residence, leave a message
stating where you are going and bring your emergency
supply kit
V. Keep updated on disaster prevention instructions form
battery-operated radios.