EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE
Natural Processes and Hazard
Natural Hazard – naturally occurring event or
phenomenon that may cause threat to the environment
and its living components.
a. Geologic – natural phenomenon occurring beneath
the Earth and underground.
b. Hydrometeorological – natural phenomenon
occurring within the Earth’s atmosphere.
c. Marine or Coastal Processes – are natural processes
which occurs to large bodies of water.
Natural Disaster – any natural hazard that already
caused fatality and damage to property.
Hazard Mitigation - are set of preventive measures to
minimize the risk of an impending natural hazard. It is
the prevention of the natural hazard to become a
natural disaster (disaster readiness and risk reduction )
GEOLOGIC HAZARD
- Due to the movement of plates and local concentration of
geologic heating
- earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and tsunamis
A. Earthquakes
PHILVOLCS – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology
o Monitors all seismic and volcanic activities in the
country.
Pacific Ring of Fire – arc within the Earth where in it
is being surrounded by many volcanoes. (e.g. Chile,
Indonesia, Philippines)
EARTHQUAKE RISK LOCATIONS (refer to your book
page 77 )
B. Landslides
The downward movement of soil or ground from a
slope that may cause damage to the residence at the
foot of the mountain or hill.
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE
C. Volcanic Eruptions - expulsion of volcanic
materials (ashes, lava, magma, rocks) from a volcano.
[Link] - the movement of big waves on the
neighboring land areas brought by the shaking of
oceanic crust or any seismic activity near a large body
of water.
HYDROMETEOROLIGAL HAZARD
Monsoon – prevalent winds located within the tropics.
The consistent reversal of wind pattern or wind system
generated by large weather system affecting large
areas over a period of time.
a. HABAGAT- southwest monsoon, occurs within the
month of May and to October.
Brings heavy rain in the Philippines.
b. AMIHAN – northeast monsoon, occurs within the
months of November to February.
Tropical Cyclone - locally known as bagyo, common due to our
location within the earth’s typhoon belt.
PAGASA – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical
Services Administrarion
Agency which monitors athnospheric condition in the Philippines.
Philippine Area of Responsibility – an area which is inside the
country’s jurisdiction.
Tropical Cyclones and Wind Speeds
TYPE Sustained wind near the
center
Tropical Depression 30 – 60 km/h
Tropical Storm 61 – 88 km/h
Severe Tropical Storm 89 – 117 km/h
Typhoon 118 – 219 km/h
Super Typhoon Faster than 220 km/h
PUBLIC STORM WARNING SYSTEM
PSWS # 1 – 30 – 60 km/h within 36 hours
PSWS # 2 – 61 – 100 km/h within 24 hours
PSWS # 3 – 101 – 185 km/h within 18 hours
PSWS # 4 – 186 – 220 km/h within 12 hours
PSWS # 5 - faster than 220 km/h within 12 hours
*** Notice the relationship of the within speed and its
duration
DepEd guidelines for class suspension:
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE
PSWS # 1 – All classes in kindergarten are
suspended
PSWS # 2 - All classes in elementary and high
school are suspended
PSWS # 3 and higher – All classes in all levels,
including college and graduate schools are
suspended
COLOR CODED WARNING SYSTEM FOR FLOODS
RED WARNING – more than 30 mm of rain (within 1 hr and
expected to continue within the next 2 hrs)
Serious flooding expected in low lying areas. RESPONSE:
EVACUATE
ORANGE WARNING – 15 -30 mm of intense rain (within 1 hr and
expected to continue within the next 2 hrs). Flood is threatening
RESPONSE: ALERT FOR POSSIBLE EVACUATION
YELLOW WARNING – 7.5 – 15 mm (heavy) rain (within 1 hr and
expected to continue within the next 2 hrs) Flooding is possible
RESPONSE: MONITOR THE WEATHER CONDITION
The Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) of
Department Of Science and Technology (DOST)