GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS
OBJECTIVE :
By the end of the lesson, students will be able
to :
• Identify different Geological hazards ;
• Analyze the causes of Geological hazards ;
• Recognize early signs of geological hazards ;
• Interpret geological maps ; and
• Apply appropriate mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of geological
hazards on communities and infrastructure.
GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS
• Natural processes or events that pose a threat to human life and infrastructure. These
hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruption, landslides, tsunamis, and sinkholes.
TYPES OF GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS
• EARTHQUAKES
• VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
• LANDSLIDES
• TSUNAMIS
• SINKHOLES
EARTHQUAKE
An earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground caused by the
movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. Also known as temblor.
NATURAL EARTHQUAKE
Tectonic Earthquake
- produced by sudden movement along faults and plate boundaries
Volcanic Earthquake
- produced by movement of magma beneath volcanoes
INDUCED EARTHQUAKE
- produced by human activities
The most common earthquake-related hazards include:
1. Ground Shaking
2. Surface Rupture
3. Landslides
4. Tsunamis
5. Liquefaction
6. Fire
VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
A volcanic eruption is a sudden release of magma, gases, and volcanic ash from a volcano
onto the Earth's surface.
VOLCANIC HAZARDS
Pyroclastic Flow
- so fast and so hot that they can knock down, shatter, bury, or burn anything in their path.
Lava flow
- considered to be not as destructive compared to other volcanic hazards.
Lahars
- Lahars are fast-moving mudflows or debris flows composed of water, volcanic ash, and debris.
Lahars are one of the most hazardous consequences of volcanic activity.
Pyroclastic Surges
- are low-density currents of ash, pumice, crystals, and volcanic gases that are more dilute than
pyroclastic flows.
TSUNAMIS
Giant sea waves generated by under-the sea earthquakes and volcanic
eruption.
SINKHOLES
A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of
collapse of the surface layer.
Hazards:
Structural Damage
Loss of property
Injuries
Environment Impact
Causes of Geologic Hazard
Tectonic Movements
are responsible for earthquakes and
tsunamis. When the earth's plates move
against each other, it can cause tremors and
shifts in the sea, leading to these
destructive events.
Volcanic Activity
Volcanoes can cause numerous
hazards, from lava flows to ash clouds.
These can destroy infrastructure, alter
landscapes, and even affect global
climate
Weathering and Erosion
These natural processes can lead to
landslides and rock falls. When rock is
weakened over time, it can suddenly
give way, leading to these hazards.
climate
Flooding
This is often caused by excessive
rainfall or rapid snowmelt. Floods can
cause extensive water damage and
lead to landslides and soil erosion.
Human Actions
Human actions, such as mining, construction,
and deforestation, can exacerbate geological
hazards. These activities can destabilize the
land and increase the risk of landslides and
sinkholes.
GEOLOGICAL
HAZARDS
AWARENESS
Preparedness for geological hazards may prevent or
reduce life loss when these situations occur. Knowing
impending signs will help an individual be ready
before these phenomena happen.
LANDSLIDE SIGNS
- Ground saturation
- Cracks or bulges in streets
- Soil movement from foundations
- Tilting or cracking concrete floors
- Leaning posts, trees, or fences
- Breakage in underground utilities
- Increased turbidity and water levels in creeks
- Unusual sounds indicating moving debris
- Sunken roadbeds
- Decrease in water level of creeks
after rain
SINKHOLE
- 10 to 12 feet in diameter SIGNS
- Sudden appearance of cracks
- Falling fence posts or trees
- Exposed previously-buried trees
- Undercut stream banks
- Sudden formation of small ponds after rainfall
- Wilting vegetation due to moisture drainage
- Structural cracks in walls, floors, doors, or windows
Geological Maps
What is Geological Maps?
• Geological maps that represent the distribution and properties of rocks and
geological features on the Earth’s surface.
• It is created by geologists and other earth scientists to represent the geology of a
particular area, and can show the location, type, and age of rock formations, as well as
the presence of faults, folds, mineral deposits, and other geological features.
• One of the earliest geological map to be made is dated in 1815 by William Smith
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES
• Variety of Colors
The colors on a geological map represent
different types of rocks, geologic units,
or other features of the Earth’s surface.
Each color corresponds to a specific type
of rock or geologic unit, and is usually
accompanied by a legend or key that
explains the meaning of the colors.
2. Variety of Colors
The letter symbols signify the name and age of the rock units in an area. The first letter
refers to the geologic age. The other letters refer to the formation name or the rock type.
2. Variety of Colors
The letter symbols signify the
name and age of the rock
units in an area. The first
letter refers to the geologic
age. The other letters refer to
the formation name or the
rock type.
PURPOSE OF GEOLOGICAL MAP
• The primary purpose of a geological map is to provide a visual
representation of the distribution of different rock types, structures, and
other geological features across a particular area.
• Geological maps can also be used to identify potential hazards such as
landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
• Geological maps can also be useful for land-use planning, environmental
management, and other practical applications.
Mitigation Strategies for Geological
Hazards
Landslides and Sinkholes
Let us Know!!
Mitigation
: The action of reducing the severity,
seriousness, or painfulness of something.
What role do
mitigation strategies Why are
play mitigation
in minimizing risks
associated
strategies
with geological for geologicak
hazards? hazards
so crucial?
Landslide Risk Factors
Shannon & Wilson;
• Density of slides
• Catchment area
• Slope height
• Geology
• Line closures
Mitigation Strategies for Landslides
Smelser (2014)
1. Stabilization
2. Protection
3. Avoidance
4. Maintenance
5. Monitoring
Landslide Susceptibility Assesment
• Inventory
• Heuristic
• Statistic
• Deterministic (recommended)
Prevention and Mitigation for Sinkholes
• Recognizing indicators of potential sinkholes
• Avoiding the areas susceptible to sinkholes
• Identify sinkhole locations and construct sinkhole
maps ex.)
• field surveys
• geomorphological mapping
• interviews with the local
• gathering information from historical maps
• gathering information on hydrogeological pathways
Preventive Measures and Project
Careful planning and application of subsidence-protected engineering
designs.
• A critical design parameter should be
made to determine the maximum diameter of the
sinkhole.
• This could be used to prevent deformation of the
engineering structure.
CORRECTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT FORMATION
OF SINKHOLES ( STRUCTURAL )
(1) preventing water withdrawal and the decline of the water table,
(2) lining of canals and ditches,
(3) using flexible pipes with telescopic joints,
(4) controlling irrigation,
(5) making the surface impermeable with geomembranes or geotextiles,
(6) using efficient drainage systems and diversting system runoff,
(7) remediating sinkholes and clogging swallow holes, ( filling cavities in the soil of rock by grouting,
(9) improving the ground by compaction and injection grouting to increase the strength and bearing capacities
of the soil, and
(10) construction of cutoff screens and grout curtains beneath dams to avoid ground water circulation beneath
structures
NON-STRUCTURAL MEASURES
(1) insurance policies to spread the cost generated by sinkholes among the people
affected,
(2) monitoring the area susceptible to sinkholes,
(3) educational programs oriented to inform people of the hazards of sinkhole
occurrences, and
(4) posting of warnings on the sinkholes and sinkhole-prone areas.
Land Use Planning or Zoning
; It prevents the people from moving in or going into the hazard-prone areas
NOT RECOMMENDED CAUSE SOLUTION
Public Education and Training
If the government and the
people cooperate then it
will change the wrong
perspective of some people
and save many lives.
Poverty Eradication as a Mitigation Strategy
VULNERABL
E
Engineering Strategy - Structural Mitigation
LANDSLIDE
• EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
• INSERTING PERFORATED PIPES INTO HOLE
• PUTTING BOULDERS AT THE TOES OF THE MOUNTAIN
SINKHOLE
For a sinkhole that might occur on the road or in front of a house, if it is not that too wide and deep
or not expanding, then it can be covered up by dry mix concrete and clayey sand materials as soon
as possible. Before the appearance of sinkholes, there will be a sign of cracked mark, when noticed
that it is still expanding, it is advised to try and contact the responsible government agencies and
stay away from it, and warn people around to prevent from crossing the hazardous area.
SUMMAR
Explored mitigation strategies for geological hazards, specifically landslides and sinkholes.
Key Strategies:
Y
• Landslides: Stabilization, protection, avoidance, and maintenance/monitoring.
• Sinkholes: Prevention through reognition, careful planning, and engineering solutions
.
• Geological Hazard Identification: Utilized methods like field surveys, geomorphological mapping, and
hydrogeological analysis.
• Collaborative Efforts: Emphasize the importance of collaboration between government, communities, and
individuals for effective mitigation.
• Summary: Integrated approaches, both structural and non-structural, are vital for minimizing risks and
ensuring safety.
