What Is This Module About?

The Philippines is located within the Ring of Fire. Because of this, we are
prone to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, typhoons and floods. These
calamities cause great casualties in the lives of the people. Sometimes they also
cause landslides, liquefaction and tsunami, which lead to even greater loss of
lives and properties.
In this module, you will learn the causes of these calamities. You will also
learn ways to lessen the destruction that these calamities bring and what to do
in case they happen.
This module is divided into three lessons. These are:
Lesson 1 – Preparing for Typhoons
Lesson 2 – Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes
Lesson 3 – Tsunami, Landslides and Liquefaction

What Will You Learn From This Module?

After studying this module, you should be able to:
♦ explain the causes of typhoons, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes;
♦ discuss other calamities such as tsunamis, landslides and liquefaction
that may be caused by typhoons, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes;
and
♦ demonstrate safety measures to lessen the destruction that these
calamities can cause.

1
 Let’s See What You Already Know

Before you start studying this module, answer the test below to find out
what you already know about this topic.
What would you do if you were in each situation? Write your answer in
the spaces provided.
1. Your friend is selling his land which is on a slope of a hill. It is much
cheaper than the lots in the town center. You have enough savings to
buy it and build a small house on it. What would you do to make sure
that it is safe to build a house on this lot?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. You and your friends went swimming in a nearby beach. When you
were having your lunch, you felt the ground shaking. What would
you do?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. You are living in a squatters’ area. Like most other roofs, the roof of
your house leaks and is not nailed securely. The typhoon season is
only a few weeks away. What would you do?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
4. The volcano located in a nearby province erupted after being dormant
(inactive) for hundreds of years. The ashes that it released reached
your place. What would you do?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
5. You are inside a movie house when an earthquake happens. You see
the people rushing toward the doors. What would you do?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

2
 Well, how was it? Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on
page 47.
If all your answers are correct, very good! This shows that you already
know much about this topic. You may still study the module to review what
you already know. Who knows, you might learn a few more things as well.
If you got a low score, don’t feel bad. This means that this module is for
you. It will help you understand important concepts that you can apply in your
daily life. If you study this module carefully, you will learn the answers to all
the items in the test and a lot more! Are you ready?
You may now go to the next page to begin Lesson 1.

3
 LESSON 1

Preparing for Typhoons

The whole archipelago, except for the island of Palawan, is visited by a
number of typhoons throughout the year, especially from June to October.
Typhoons are one of the most destructive natural disasters that hit the country.
They are also the most frequent, causing loss of lives and properties.
In this lesson, you will learn more about typhoons and some effective
measures to follow before, during and after typhoons.

Let’s Study and Analyze

Study the picture below. Then answer the questions that follow.

1. Do you think that the people living in this house are safe in case a
typhoon comes? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

4
 2. What do you think should the owner of this house do before a
typhoon comes?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 47.

Let’s Learn

What comes to your mind when you hear that there is an upcoming
typhoon? Do you think of strong winds? Heavy rains? Both of these
accompany typhoons. A typhoon is a very strong storm in tropical regions
like our country. The typhoons that hit the Philippines usually form in the
Pacific Ocean, but sometimes they form in the South China Sea. These two
bodies of water surround our country.

Pacific Ocean
a
Se
ina
Ch
uth

Philippines
So

5
 How do typhoons affect our
lives? Typhoons cause serious damage
to peoples’ lives and properties.
Do you live near the sea? If so,
you are at greater risk when there is a
typhoon. The heavy rains and the
strong winds that go with a typhoon
can cause very big waves. To go
fishing or sailing would be very
dangerous at this time.
When the weather suddenly
calms, it means that the center or the
“eye” of the typhoon is passing. But
the wind and rain will soon come
back. As the typhoon comes closer to
the land, it gradually loses its energy
and soon dies out. (This is explained
further in the module Typhoons in the Philippines, which you can study if you
wish.)

Do you read the newspaper or watch the television after a very strong
typhoon? Have you seen how much destruction a typhoon can cause? Since a
typhoon is accompanied by heavy rains, it causes soil erosion and flood. The
most badly affected are the places where there are not enough trees to hold the
soil.
Do you still remember what happened in Ormoc in 1991? When Typhoon
Uring hit the province, landslides and floods killed thousands of people.

6
 Did you ever observe how farms
are after a typhoon? You can see that
most crops cannot resist strong winds
and heavy rains.
What happens to palay or rice
plants when a typhoon hits before
they are harvested? The roots and
grains rot. Banana plants are also
easily destroyed by typhoons.
Provinces that rely on agriculture lose
millions of pesos during typhoon
seasons.

Typhoons also destroy aquatic ecosystems like seas and oceans. The
strong winds break and carry away coral reefs. This decreases the number of
fish in the seas because the habitats where they live are destroyed. Even the
fish that are in the water are also carried away. Thus, after a typhoon, you
often see dead fish floating in bodies of water.

7
 Let’s Review

Identify the small pictures and use their names to complete the sentences.
You may choose your answers from the words or phrases inside the box
below. (There is one word in the box which you will not need to use.)

flood coral reefs winds

people fish Philippines
rains typhoon center

A is a very strong storm in the tropical regions. It is accompanied

by continuous and very strong . The typhoons that hit

the usually form in the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes, they form in the

South China Sea.

Typhoons cause serious damage to and properties because of

the high and strong winds that they bring. Agriculture also suffers greatly.

Most crops cannot resist the strong winds and . Typhoons also

destroy aquatic ecosystems. The strong winds carry the

away where they get broken. This decreases the number of in the seas

because their habitats or the places where they live are destroyed.

Do you think you got all the right answers? Find out by referring to the
Answer Key on page 47.

8
 Let’s Learn

Since typhoons are like the country’s regular visitors, we should all know
how to deal with them. So read on and learn what you should do in case there
is a typhoon.
Before the Typhoon Season
1. Check your house if it is in
good condition, particularly
the roof.

2. Trim tree branches well near

your house.

3. Fix loose iron sheets.

9
4. Prepare an emergency kit. Keep it ready in your home.
The kit should contain:
♦ Portable radio with extra
(fresh) batteries
♦ Flashlight, kerosene
lamp, candles and
matches
♦ Potable (drinking) water,
canned goods, can
opener and extra clothes
♦ First aid kit and important medicines

During a Typhoon
1. Don’t panic. Just listen to the radio for warnings and advice.
2. Stay inside. Take shelter in the strongest part of your house.
3. If your house starts to break up, protect yourself with mattress, rugs
or blankets. Get under a strong table or bed.

After a Typhoon
1. Listen to your radio. Don’t
go outside until advised
officially that the typhoon
has passed, or that it is
already safe to go out.

10
2. Beware of fallen power
lines, damaged buildings
and trees, and flooded
waterways.

Let’s Review

Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Before the typhoon season, you should check your house particularly
the ___________.
a. bathroom
b. roof
c. kitchen
d. bedroom
2. If your house starts to break up, what should you do?
a. Watch a television show.
b. Get out of the house immediately.
c. Call the police.
d. Protect yourself with mattress, rugs or blankets.
3. Which of the following things is NOT necessary to keep before the
typhoon season?
a. flashlight and extra batteries
b. first aid kit and important medicines
c. chocolates and candies
d. potable water and canned goods
4. Which of the following is safe to do after a typhoon has passed?
a. swimming
b. listening to the radio
c. sight-seeing
d. fishing

11
 5. Which of the following is NOT necessary to do before the typhoon
season?
a. Build a small fish pond near your house.
b. Fix loose iron sheets.
c. Prepare an emergency kit.
d. Trim tree branches.
Check if you got all the correct answers. Refer to the Answer Key on page
48.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

A. Match the items in Column A with those in Column B. Write the

correct letters in the blanks provided.
Column A Column B
1. a very strong storm a. areas near the sea
in a tropical region b. flood
2. The weather suddenly c. places near volcanoes
calms down when it passes. d. “eye” of the typhoon
3. caused by heavy rains e. very big waves
and lack of trees f. typhoon
4. places which are at greater
risk when there is a typhoon
5. caused by heavy rains and
very strong winds at sea
B. What would you do if you were in each situation? Write your answers
in the spaces provided.
1. You learned from the news that within 24 hours, a strong
typhoon will hit your town. What would you do?
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

12
 2. You could hear the rumbling sound of thunder and see flashes of
lightning as the heavy rains continued to pour. You could also see
from your window fallen trees and power lines. What would you
do?
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 48.

Let’s Remember

♦ A typhoon is a very strong storm in the tropical regions accompanied

by continuous rains and very strong winds.
♦ Typhoons cause damage to people, crops, properties and aquatic
ecosystems.
♦ The heavy rains that accompany typhoons cause flood and soil
erosion.
♦ We cannot prevent typhoons from coming but we can take measures
before, during and after a typhoon to lessen the damages that it cause.

13
 LESSON 2

Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes

Don’t you admire the beauty of the near-perfect cone of Mt. Mayon? It is
the most famous as well as the most active volcano in the Philippines. Surely,
you also must have heard of Mt. Pinatubo, which erupted in 1991. They’re just
two of the country’s volcanoes. Do you live near Mt. Mayon, Mt. Pinatubo or
any other volcano? Do you know the dangers that volcanoes can bring? Do
you know what to do in case a volcano near your place erupts?
Do you still remember the earthquake that happened on July 16, 1990? Its
epicenter was in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, but it was felt all throughout
the Luzon region. That earthquake damaged properties and claimed hundreds
of lives.
In this lesson, you will learn more about volcanic eruptions and
earthquakes. You will also learn what to do before, during and after these
natural disasters occur.

Let’s Study and Analyze

Study the following picture then answer the questions that follow.

14
 1. Do you think that the man shown is safe where he lives? Why or why
not?
_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. If you were the man in the picture, what would you do? Why?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 48–49.

Let’s Learn

Have you seen a volcano? It’s like an ordinary mountain or hill, except
that it has openings in its surface called vents. Through these openings, a
volcano releases different materials such as magma, lahar and ash when it
erupts. The hollow part at the peak of a volcano lying above the vent is the
crater.
Do you know why volcanoes erupt? It’s because the pressure on the
magma chamber forces the magma up and out the volcano’s vents. Magma is
very hot, molten (melted by heat) rock formed within the earth. When magma
reaches the earth’s surface, it is called lava.

Crater

Magma

Vent
Magma chamber

Cross-section of a Volcano

15
 Volcanic activity is classified by how often a volcano erupts. A volcano is
said to be active if man has recorded its eruption. An inactive volcano has no
records of eruption and its form is beginning to change because of weathering
and erosion.
Is there a volcano in your town or near it? There are about 200 volcanoes
in the Philippines. Below is a list of major Philippine volcanoes and their
locations. See if you can identify a volcano near your area.

Volcano Location
Mayon Legaspi City, Albay
Taal Talisay, Batangas
Kanlaon Negros Oriental
Bulusan Sorsogon
Ragang Cotabato
Smith Babuyan Island
Hibok-Hibok Mambajao, Camiguin Island
Dedicas Babuyan Island
Babuyan Babuyan Island
Cagua Cagayan
Camiguin de Babuyanes Babuyan Island
Banahaw Lucena City
Calayo Valencia, Bukidnon
Iraya Batanes
Pinatubo Zambales
Iriga Camarines Sur
Biliran Biliran
Bud Dajo Jolo Island
Matutum Cotabato
Kalatungan Bukidnon
Makaturing Lanao del Sur
Parker South Cotabato

Now look at the map on the next page to know if there is an active or
inactive volcano near your hometown.

16
 Philippine Volcanoes

Source: http://www.reliefweb.int/mapc/asi_se/cnt/phil/phl_volc.html

17
 Were you able to find out if there is a volcano near your place? If you do
live near an active volcano, then it is very important that you know what
happens when a volcano erupts and the effects that this may have.
When a volcano erupts, it releases materials that destroy properties and
put people in danger.
Do you still remember the
eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in
1991? The ash that Mt. Pinatubo
released even reached other
Asian countries. Many people
had respiratory diseases when
Pinatubo erupted. Heavy ashfall
caused roofs to collapse,
especially those made of nipa,
cogon and old iron sheets.

You probably know how lahar from Mt. Pinatubo carried trees, people,
vehicles and even houses away with it. It even destroyed buildings, roads and
bridges. Lahar is made up of volcanic particles and water. For several years in
the Pinatubo area, whenever heavy rains come, lahar would flow into rivers
and other bodies of water. It also blocked drainage channels and caused
flooding in some areas. Rivers also became shallow due to lahar deposits. For
a long period, people had to stay in evacuation centers and wait for relief
goods to come. Billions of pesos were needed to build a mega (very large)
dike that would trap the lahar in a “basin.”

18
 Let’s Review

Arrange the jumbled letters to form words that will complete the sentences
below.
1. (a c o n o l v) A _____________ is a hill or mountain with an
opening from which materials are released when it erupts.
2. (v i e n c i a t) An _____________ volcano has no record of
eruption.
3. (w o d f m l u) Lahar or _____________ is made up of volcanic
particles and water.
4. (f l a a h s l) Heavy _____________ can cause roofs to collapse when
allowed to collect in big quantities.
5. (g a m m a) _____________ is very hot, molten rock which is
formed within the earth.
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 49.

Let’s Learn

A volcano may sit quietly for hundreds of years. But it doesn’t mean that
there is no possibility for it to erupt anytime like Mt. Pinatubo. Read on to
learn what you should do in case a volcano erupts close to where you live.

19
Before Volcanic Eruptions
1. If you are planning to build a house, avoid
low places or areas that are prone to
mudflows.

2. Because lahar flows more easily when there

are no trees you should avoid cutting trees on
slopes of volcanoes without replacing them.

3. If you live on or around a volcano, you

should always have ready means of
transportation because the volcano might
erupt anytime.

4. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

Seismology (PHIVOLCS) prohibits settling
in areas within 4–6 km around the peak of
active volcanoes. Comply with this
prohibition. It’s for your own safety. If
PHIVOLCS orders you to evacuate, do so.

20
During Volcanic Eruptions
1. During an ashfall, you should cover your
nose with a wet piece of cloth.

2. In between heavy ashfalls, scrape off ashes

that have collected on rooftops to prevent
their collapse or destruction.

After a Volcanic Eruption

1. If you are in an evacuation
center or staying with a
relative in a safe place, wait
for instructions before
returning home.

2. Once you get home, you

may start repairing the
damaged portions of your
property. Scrape off the ash
from your roof.

21
 3. Make sure that the water is
safe to drink. Check if it is
clear and has no unusual
odor. Always boil water for
10-15 minutes before
drinking it.

Let’s Review

A volcano close to where the

Galang family lives erupted.
PHIVOLCS ordered them and the
other families to evacuate to a
nearby province. A month after
the eruption, PHIVOLCS
announced that they can safely
return to their homes. What advice
can you give them?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Compare your answer with that in the Answer Key on page 49.

Let’s Try This

Now that we have studied volcanic eruptions, we are ready to move to

another topic.To give you an idea of the kind of natural disaster that we are
going to discuss next, try to do this experiment. If you cannot do it, then you
can simply read the ingredients and procedures on the next page, and imagine
what the results would be like.

22
A. Ingredients:
1 bar of gelatin
3 pieces of wafers
3 cups of water Gelatin Wafers
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of evaporated milk
(optional)
Sugar

Water
Evaporated Milk

B. Directions
1. Tear the gelatin bar into
tiny bits.
2. Pour gelatin bits in
boiling water.
3. Add sugar and stir the
mixture.
4. Remove the mixture
from heat.
5. Then pour the mixture
in a shallow plastic
bowl. Add milk.
6. After it has cooled
down,transfer the
gelatin mixture onto a
plate.
7. Make the wafers stand
on the gelatin. Then
shake the plate and
observe what happen.
8. Enjoy eating your
delicious gelatin and
wafers.

23
 Let’s Think About This

Did you enjoy doing the previous activity? Now, answer the following
questions to know if you learned something from it.
1. Can you guess what disaster is being suggested by the previous
experiment? ___________________
2. What happened to the wafers when you shook the plate?
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with the ones given below.
1. Earthquake
2. The wafers fell down.
When an earthquake happens, the ground shakes, just like the gelatin did
in your experiment. This can cause the objects on it like houses, trees and
buildings to fall down, just like the wafers did.
Do you want to learn more about earthquakes? Read on then.

Let’s Learn

Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Do you remember how you

felt at that time? Where were you? Were you afraid? What did you do? An
earthquake can be a very frightening experience for anyone. Do you know
what causes it?
When you feel the ground shake, you instantly know that it’s an
earthquake, right? Have you ever wondered why it happens? Well, an
earthquake occurs when a volcano erupts violently or when the tectonic plates
under the ground move. Tectonic plates are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that
fit together. They move constantly due to the extreme heat in the inner parts of
the earth.

24
 If you live near a volcano and it erupts, you
will feel the ground shake. Because the
earthquake is caused by a volcanic eruption, it is
called a volcanic earthquake.
A different kind of earthquake is the
tectonic earthquake. It is caused by the
movement of the tectonic plates, and it occurs
over a wider area.
A volcanic eruption may cause an
earthquake.

Have you seen big cracks on the ground?

These are called faults. Faults resist the forces
that try to move the plates apart. When the sides
of the fault slide past each other, an earthquake
occurs.

The movement of tectonic plates

causes the sliding of faults,
resulting an earthquake.

Recall the experiment you did on pages 22–23. What happened to the
wafer “buildings” when you shook the plate? They all fell down, right? That’s
how destructive earthquakes can get. Do you still remember the buildings that
collapsed during the Northern Luzon earthquake in July 1990? How about the
lives that the same earthquake claimed?

25
 Let’s Review

Complete the words that will make the sentence correct. Some letters are
already given as clues.
1. An __a__ __ __ __ __a__ __ is caused by either volcanic eruption or
the movement of plates.
2. __a__ __ __ __ resist the forces that try to move the plates apart.
3. A __o__ __ __ __ __ __ earthquake occurs when a volcano erupts.
4. A __ __ __ __o__ __ __ earthquake occurs over a wider area.
5. Tectonic __ __a__ __ __ move constantly due to the extreme heat in
the inner parts of the earth.
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 49.

Let’s Learn

Like most natural disasters, there is no way to prevent earthquakes. But

the good thing is we can do something about the damage that earthquakes
cause. There are measures that we can take to prevent undue damage. Learn
about these below.
What to Do During an Earthquake
1. If you are indoors during an
earthquake, take cover under
a heavy table or desk. Stay
away from glass windows,
paintings, hangings on a wall,
or anything that might fall.

2. If you are in the kitchen, get

away from the stove,
refrigerator and cabinets with
heavy objects. Leave the
kitchen if necessary or get
under a table.

26
3. If you are in a crowded
public place, do not rush to
the door. Everyone will be
doing that, and this may
cause a stampede. Instead,
take cover under something
heavy.

4. If you are in a tall building,

do not use elevators. To get
out to an open area, use the
stairs instead. Or better yet,
just take cover under
something heavy like a table
or chair.

5. If you are outdoors, move to

a clear area. Avoid power
lines, trees, signs, buildings,
vehicles and other hazards.

6. If you are driving, pull over

to the side of the road, stop,
and set the parking brake.
Avoid overpasses, bridges,
power lines, signs and other
hazards. Stay inside the
vehicle until the earthquake is
over.

27
 Let’s See What You Have Learned

Answer the following questions.

1. Aling Lina’s son has asthma. When the volcano in a nearby province
erupted, the ashfall reached their place. What should Aling Lina do?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. After their class, Elsa, Carlo and Ronald played patintero on their
school grounds. Suddenly, they felt that the ground was shaking.
They could see the branches of trees swaying violently. What should
they do?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 49.

Let’s Remember

♦ Both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes pose danger to people,

properties and livelihood.
♦ A volcano is a hill or mountain which formed around an opening at
the earth’s surface called a vent.
♦ When there is too much pressure in the magma chamber, a volcano
begins to erupt. When the magma reaches the earth’s surface, it is
called lava.
♦ Volcanoes can be classified as active or inactive. There are records
of the eruption of active volcanoes, while there is none for the inactive
ones.
♦ Some of the many effects of volcanic eruption are ashfall, lahar or
mudflow, flood and soil erosion.
♦ An earthquake is a shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface due to
volcanic activity or the movement of tectonic plates.

28
♦ An earthquake is either volcanic or tectonic. A volcanic earthquake
occurs due to volcanic eruption, while a tectonic earthquake is
caused by the movement of tectonic plates under the ground.
♦ Faults resist the forces that move the tectonic plates. When the sides
of the fault slide past each other, an earthquake occurs.
♦ To lessen the damage that volcanic eruptions and earthquakes might
cause, there are measures that you can take before, during and after
they actually happen.

29
 LESSON 3

Tsunami, Landslides and Liquefaction

In the previous lessons, you studied three kinds of natural disasters and
measures to take when they happen. Typhoons, volcanic eruptions and
earthquakes can result in other calamities and cause further destruction.
In this lesson, you will find out what calamities can arise from a certain
calamity. You will also learn what you should do in case these calamities hit
your place. In this lesson, it is best if you can get the accompanying cassette
tape entitled Tsunami: One Quake Brings Change. You may get it from your
Intructional Manager.

Let’s Listen To This

Listen to the cassette tape accompanying this module. If the tape is not
available, just read the comic strip that follows. The story is about a strong
earthquake that caused a tsunami in the Moro Gulf in Mindanao.
Tsunami: One Quake Brings Change
Characters: Fred – 39 years old, responsible father
Eloy – 12 years old, hard-headed son
Meding – 34 years old, Fred’s wife
Idad – 38 years old, from the same barrio as Fred
Turo – 40 years old, from the same barrio as Fred,
another fisherman
Lola – 65 years old, Meding’s mother

One day as Eloy was playing along the shore ... Later, `Nay. I have to go And where are
somewhere else. you going
again?
Eloy!Eloy! Along the shore, `Nay.
At the White Stone!
What is it, Inay?

Come here and

help me.

You can do that later. Help me

set these mats so I can dry
these fishes I have salted.

30
 When I come back, `Nay.

The contest might have started. Why won’t he become hard-

Besides, I still have to pick up headed when he hasn’t tasted
seashells that Totoy and I will spanking from you and your
use as markers for bingo. husband?

Eloy, come back here! Eloy, Eloy!

My gosh, this kid’s very hard-
headed.
Nanay, so you’ve come down already?

I couldn’t help overhearing

Never mind, Nanay. Later,
your conversation with your
I’ll give him a sermon.
stubborn son.

I was trying to catch up with him. I Don’tworry,Nanay.I’lltalk

hadn’t yet come down the stairs when tohimlater.
heran.

31
 It’sgoodifhe’sgoingto
listentoyou,Meding.I
toldyou...
I know, Mother. Stubborn kids
become responsive through
spanking. But Fred and I have
a different belief. We believe
that only effective sermons
areneededtoinstill
disciplineinasmartchild.

Along the shore... Suddenly...

The wind seems to have

become stronger.

Earthquake!
Hurry,Eloy!
Let’sgo Let’sgetout
home, son... ofhere!
Oh, Father! Why do
you seem so
scared? It’s only an
Inawhile,Father.I
earthquake!
stillhavetogather
some...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
An earthquake’s dangerous...
especially along the shoreline. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Let’sgo! ‘Tay,helpme!I
can’tgetup!

Later. If you want,

you can go ahead
and leave me behind
I’m going there, son!
because I’m not
Don’t be frightened!
scared...
I’llhelpyouup!

32
Itay, reach for me!
Itay!
Don’tletgo!
Ah...! Thank God, you were not
hurt!

Uh! Don’t let go of my hand! Now... C’mon, Eloy! Let’s get

Uh! slowly,movetowardsme!I’ll away from the
pullyou!Uhm...uhm...uh...! shoreline...beforethe
tsunami comes!

What’sthat,
‘Tay? Tusinong Don’t be stubborn, Eloy! Now is
gurami? not the time to –
I’llexplainittoyou
later.Let’sleavethis
place before big and
strong tidal waves
reachus.

Father, look at that! The sea water has

gone down. And most of the corals
seem to have surfaced together with
Ah, I won’t leave until you explain
other seashells. I couldn’t reach them
to me what it is. Anyway, the
before because they were in the deep
earthquake has stopped!
part of the water.

Come back ‘Tay!

It’sthetsunami!
The shells and here,Eloy!
coralsare
beautiful!Iwill
get some.

Father! Do you see those big waves

Let go of me, ‘Tay! Allow me to... coming towards us? They’re bigger
than the buildings in town!

33
 Not much later ...

Run, Eloy! Oh, no!

The whole IfIhadn’tpulled
Faster! Run!
villagegot you up, you’d
covered by big probably be
tidalwaves! washed away, too,
son!

God help us!!! Eloy, to the hill!

Let’s go up the hill! Quickly!

You’reright,‘Tay!Ifyouhadn’t
stopped me, I’d be dead by now! I trust this would be a lesson for you,
Please forgive me! son... so that the next time, you will
learn to listen to the warnings of your
elders and not let your stubbornness
prevail.

Yes,Itay!(stillcrying) I’m thinking of them, too. But even if

HowaboutInay...? we go down the hill now, there’s
andLola? nothing we can do. We would probably
be washed away by the rushing water
because of the giant waves which
covered our village. Besides, I’m hoping
that they have evacuated before the
tsunami arrived. The leaders of our
village are wise. They, too, are seasoned
fishermen. They’re very good in
interpreting nature’s signs. Meanwhile,
let’sjustsithereontopofthishilland
wait until the water goes down!

34
 According to our elders,
I didn’t know the
before a tsunami occurs,
tsunami is so scary.
the animals go in a riot
Imagine, in just a
and become noisy. This
blinkofaneye,it
goes to show that even
covered and sunk our
animals sense the coming
wholevillage!Itay,
of the tsunami.
how does the tsunami
happen? But where did the
tsunami come
from?

In order for you to understand more... it goes like this: The entire planet is made up of
what we call tectonic plates which are under the land or the sea. These are always
moving and crashing against each other. Some, instead of moving towards each other,
move apart, away from each other. And still others move diagonally against each other.
The Philippines is among the countries whose plates below are crashing against each
other.

How did you know these,

Itay?

Our science teacher taught us when I Ohhh. I see. So what happened

was still in high school. to those... plates you spoke of?

35
 When two plates come together, one will move under the other. That is the reason why
ocean trenches appear. These are narrow and long, like canals. The movement of the
plates is another reason for the eruption of volcanoes and earthquakes.

Perhaps.
Maybe, a while ago, two plates in our place collided—
that’s why an earthquake happened, right, Father?

That’s why tsunamis are

dangerous!

A tsunami usually occurs when a strong earthquake happens under the

sea, just like a while ago. Because, like I said, there are also plates under
the sea. When two plates collide under and the origin of the earthquake is
a bit shallow but the water is deep, surely, there will be very big waves.

36
 That’s right. Because of strong
earthquakes in one part of the ocean,
the saltwater is given a strong push
upwards so the waves become big and
Like what strong. As the waves approach the
happened shoreline, they become bigger, like
earlier. giants. They also come rushing in, fast,
that’s why they’re difficult to avoid and
run away from. This also occurs when a
volcano erupts under the sea. Or if
there’s a landslide or rockslide under the
sea.
Is that also the reason
for the tsunami?

I wonder where Nanay and Lola are?

Istillcan’tfindthem. Let’saskthose
people over there.

We were also worried about you! And

Fred! Eloy! Thank God, you also
Nanay, too!
survived! I was so worried about
the two of you!

We were able to go to a higher place before the waves came rushing in. We
only came back here after the flood subsided. And I began looking for both
ofyou.

37
 You know, ‘Nay, if Itay hadn’t saved me, I probably wouldn’t be here now! It
is only now that I understand that nothing good happens by being hard-
headed. So from now on, I will become obedient.

Thank goodness if that’s Our son has learned this

the case. If the tsunami important lesson because
had not happened, you of the tsunami. He’ll be
probably would not have good from now on.
learned your lesson.

Let’s Think About This

1. According to the story that you have read and/or listened to, what are
the causes of tsunami?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. What can be done to avoid being a victim of tsunami?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 49–50.

38
 Let’s Learn

Tsunami or killer waves are the most

powerful waves on earth. Do you have
an idea what causes such waves?
When an underwater volcano erupts
or a strong earthquake occurs, a tsunami
is formed. A massive landslide under the
ocean might also cause it. A tsunami
looks like ordinary waves in the ocean.
But as it nears the shore, it becomes a
powerful wall of water. It can be as tall as
a building. It is no wonder that a tsunami
can easily sweep away an entire village.
To avoid being a victim of a tsunami,
you should evacuate immediately from
the beach to a higher place after a strong
earthquake. Don’t wait for the waves to come. You won’t live to tell your
story. Don’t go fishing even after the tide has gone down. Remember that a
tsunami is a series of waves. Stay in a safe place until the last giant wave has
passed.

Let’s Try This

We have studied tsunamis, and now we will discuss another calamity. To

give you a clue on what this calamity is, try this simple activity.
A. Materials:
1 empty box about 3”x5”x1”
in size
pebbles or small stones

39
B. Steps
1. Fill the empty box with
pebbles.
2. Tilt the box slowly
from side to side.
3. Observe what
happens.

Let’s Think About This

1. What happened to the pebbles when you tilted the box?

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. What do you think would happen if you put an object on the pebbles
before tilting it?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. Imagine that the pebbles in the box are the foundation of a house.
What do you think would happen to the house if an earthquake
occurs?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 50.

40
 Let’s Learn

Do you live near the sea? Have you

noticed a spot in your yard where the soil
seems soft and sandy? If so, you are
probably at a greater risk of being a
victim of liquefaction.
When an earthquake occurs, the soil
weakens. The water pressure increases,
causing the soil particles to move apart.
The soil then behaves more like a liquid
than a solid — hence, the name
liquefaction.

How can liquefaction affect people? When the soil weakens, it will not be
a good foundation for buildings. If your house stands on liquefied soil, your
house will collapse when an earthquake occurs or even before it happens.

There is another calamity that has to do with the soil. This is the landslide.
Are you familiar with news of landslides happening in Baguio City, especially
during the typhoon season? Landslide is the sudden downward movement of
a mass of soil. Heavy rains may cause landslides. When there are not enough
trees to hold the soil, heavy rains can easily carry the soil away.

41
 Can you guess what the other cause of landslides is? Earthquakes cause
landslides, too. When the ground is shaking, it becomes unstable. Blocks of
soil slip past each other.

To know if your home is safe from liquefaction and landslides, it is wise

to consult a geologist. He/She can check if the ground is a stable location, or if
it would be safe to build a house there.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Answer the following questions.

1. Your family lives near the sea but your husband works abroad. A
month ago, you bought a television, a refrigerator and a component
system. Your children were playing at the backyard when you felt a
strong earthquake. What would you do?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. Marta and her family live on the slope of a hill. They earn a living
from making charcoal and selling them in the public market during
Sundays. They do not replace the trees that they cut and burn. What
do you think will happen to them when the typhoon season comes?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 50.

42
 Let’s Remember

♦ Calamities such as typhoons, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes

cause other calamities like tsunami, liquefaction and landslides.
♦ Tsunami is a series of giant waves that are caused by underwater
volcanic eruption, earthquake or landslide. When there is a tsunami,
you should evacuate to a higher place.
♦ Liquefaction occurs when the soil behaves more like a liquid than a
solid. It is because the soil particles moved away from one another
due to the pressure of the water between them.
♦ The downward movement of a mass of soil is called a landslide. It
happens when the soil becomes unstable due to the shaking caused by
an earthquake. Sometimes it is also because heavy rains easily carry
the soil away, especially if there are not enough trees to hold the soil.
♦ To avoid the dangers of liquefaction and landslide, consult a geologist
to find out if the place you built or will build your house on is safe.
You have almost finished this module. Great job! You have been a diligent
learner. Did you learn a lot from this module? Did you have fun reading it? If
there are points that are not very clear to you, go back to the parts of module
and study them again.
On the next page is a summary of the module’s main points to help you
remember them better.

43
 Let’s Sum Up

This module tells us that:

♦ Typhoon is a violent storm in the tropical region which is
accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds.
♦ Typhoons cause damage to people, crops, properties and even aquatic
ecosystems.
♦ Both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes put people, properties and
the livelihood of people in danger.
♦ A volcano is a hill or mountain which formed around an opening at
the earth’s surface called a vent.
♦ An earthquake is a shaking or trembling at the earth’s surface due to
volcanic activity or movement of tectonic plates.
♦ Calamities such as typhoons, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
cause other calamities like tsunami, liquefaction and landslides.
♦ Tsunami is a series of giant waves that are caused by underwater
volcanic eruption, earthquake or landslide.
♦ Liquefaction occurs when the soil behaves more like a liquid than a
solid.
♦ The downward movement of a mass of soil is called a landslide.
♦ We cannot prevent calamities from happening but there are measures
we can take before, during and after they happen.

44
 What Have You Learned?
A. Identify what is being described. Then, write it in its correct place in
the crossword puzzle below.
Across
1 Downward movement of a mass of soil
3 A violent storm in the tropical regions
4 Also called mudflow
7 Very hot molten rock
9 This happens when a volcano erupts and releases volcanic materials
(2 words)
10 A series of giant waves
Down
1 This happens when the soil behaves more like a liquid than a solid
2 A kind of volcano which has no records of eruption
3 Large parts under the earth’s surface that move constantly because of
the extreme heat in the inner parts of the earth (2 words)
4 Name given to magma when it reaches the surface of the earth
5 Product of a volcanic eruption that causes respiratory diseases
6 Shaking or trembling at the surface of the earth
8 An opening where volcanic materials pass through
11 Combination of volcanic particles and water

11

22

33 44 5

66

77

88

99

10
10 11
11

45
B. Are you prepared for calamities? What would you do if you were in
each of the following situations?
1. You were in the kitchen preparing lunch for your family when
suddenly, you felt the ground shaking. What would you do?
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. You have saved enough money to build a new house. What
would you do to make sure that the lot on which you will build
your house is safe?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. You were on the beach when you felt an earthquake. You know
that at any moment a tsunami might come. What would you do?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
4. There is an active volcano in your hometown. What would you
do when PHIVOLCS warns you that the volcano might erupt
soon?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
5. You heard on the radio that a typhoon is coming. What would
you do?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Compare your answer with those in the Answer Key on pages 50–51.

46
 Answer Key

A. Let’s See What You Already Know (pages 2–3)

1. I would consult a geologist first. He/She would test the soil to
know if it would be safe to build a house there. He/She would
then advise me if it would be wise to buy that land.
2. We would run to a higher ground because the earthquake might
cause tsunami.
3. Because heavy rains and strong winds accompany a typhoon, I
would repair our roof. I would patch any holes so that they won’t
leak anymore. I would also nail the roof firmly because the winds
might blow it off.
4. I would cover my nose with a wet piece of cloth so that I
wouldn’t get a respiratory disease from the volcanic ash.
5. I would take cover under the chairs rather than rush to the doors.

B. Lesson 1
Let’s Study and Analyze (pages 4–5)
The following are only sample answers. Your own answers may be a
bit different though also acceptable.
1. I don’t think that the people living in that house are safe when a
typhoon comes. There is danger that the strong wind might blow
off the roof. Also, there is danger that the branches of the tree or
the tree itself might fall on the house.
2. The people living in this house should repair their roof and trim
the tree branches before the typhoon season comes.
Let’s Review (page 8)
A typhoon is a very strong storm in the tropical regions. It is
accompanied by continuous rains and very strong winds. The
typhoons that hit the Philippines usually form in the Pacific Ocean.
Sometimes, they form in the South China Sea.
Typhoons cause serious damage to people and properties because
of the high and strong winds that they bring. Agriculture also suffers
greatly. Most crops cannot resist the strong winds and flood.
Typhoons also destroy aquatic ecosystems. The strong winds carry the
coral reefs away where they get broken. This decreases the number
of fish in the seas because their habitats or the places where they live
are destroyed.

47
 Let’s Review (pages 11–12)
1. (b) If your roof is not nailed well, the strong winds would most
likely blow it off.
2. (d) You should not get out of the house immediately because it
would be more dangerous outside. Instead, you should protect
yourself with mattress, rugs or blankets.
3. (c) You don’t need chocolates and candies to survive a typhoon.
4. (b) It is still unsafe to go swimming, sight-seeing or fishing
because bodies of water are still not calm.
5. (a) It is unnecessary to build a small fishpond near your house
before the typhoon season.
Let’s See What You Have Learned (pages 12–13)
A. 1. f
2. d
3. b
4. a
5. e
B. These are sample answers only. Your own answers may be a bit
different. You can show them to your Instructional Manager for
additional feedback.
1. I would prepare an emergency kit which would include a
portable radio, extra batteries, flashlight, candles, matches,
first aid kit and important medicines. I would also store
potable water and canned goods.
2. I would stay inside the house because it would be dangerous
to go outside. Falling trees or power lines might hit me.

C. Lesson 2
Let’s Study and Analyze (pages 14–15)
The following are sample answers only. You may give different
answers which may also be correct.
1. I don’t think that the man is safe. He lives just below a volcano
that might erupt any moment. In case that happens, he would not
be able to evacuate immediately because he has no ready means
of transportation.

48
 2. If I were to choose, I would live in a safer place. If I were the
man, I would leave the place if there was a warning that the
volcano might erupt. However, if I had to stay in the same place,
I would stop cutting trees near my yard to minimize mudflows. I
would also save money to buy a tricycle or a jeepney so I could
readily evacuate in case there was a threat of an eruption.
Let’s Review (page 19)
1. volcano
2. inactive
3. mudflow
4. ashfall
5. magma
Let’s Review (page 22)
They should return to their home and repair whatever was
damaged during the eruption. They should scrape the ash off their
roof to avoid its collapse. They should also check if their water is safe
to drink.
Let’s Review (page 26)
1. earthquake
2. faults
3. volcanic
4. tectonic
5. plates
Let’s See What You Have Learned (page 28)
Below are sample answers.
1. Aling Lina should always remind her son to cover his nose. His
asthma might get worse because of the presence of volcanic ashes
in their place.
2. Elsa, Carlo and Ronald should stay on the open ground, away
from trees, buildings and electric posts.

D. Lesson 3
Let’s Think About This (page 38)
1. Tsunami is caused by either earthquake, landslide or volcanic
eruption under the sea.

49
 2. One should evacuate from the beach to a higher ground after a
strong earthquake. Fishing should be avoided even after the tide
has gone down. Tsunami is a series of giant waves, so it is better
to stay in a safe place until the last giant wave has passed.
Let’s Think About This (page 40)
Your answers should be similar to the ones below. But they may
still vary based on your observations.
1. The pebbles rolled and gathered on one side of the box.
2. The object would sway uncontrollably because of the movement
of the pebbles. It might fall down, and even be crushed under the
pebbles.
3. The house would collapse or fall down. It would be destroyed.
Let’s See What You Have Learned (page 42)
1. My children and I would run to a higher ground even if we could
not bring any of our appliances. We can still replace those. But
what’s important is for us to survive the tsunami.
2. They might be victims of landslide. The heavy rains can easily
carry away the soil because there are no trees to prevent the
landslide.
E. What Have You Learned? (pages 45–46)
A.

1
L A N D S L I D E
2
I I
3 4
N Q T Y P H O O N L
A U E
6
C E C E
7
T F T M A G M
8
I A O V T
9
V O L C A N I C E R U P T I O
E T I N H
I C T Q
10 11
O T S U N A
N P A
L K
A E
T
E O
S W

50
B.
1. I would get away from the stove, refrigerator and from the
cabinets with heavy objects. Then, together with my family, I
would take cover under something heavy like a table.
2. I would consult a geologist to know if it is safe to build a
house on the land that I bought.
3. I would hurry to a higher place.
4. I would wait for further advice and warning. I would always
be prepared for evacuation.
5. I would check our roof and trim tree branches well near our
house. I would also keep our yard free from scrap iron
sheets. I would prepare an emergency kit which includes a
portable radio, flashlight, batteries, candles and important
medicines. I would also stock potable water and canned
goods.

51
 Glossary

Accompany Go with; exists at the same time as something

Active volcano A volcano whose eruption/s has/have been documented
or recorded
Aquatic ecosystems Communities of living and nonliving things
interacting with each other near or in bodies of water
Archipelago A group or chain of islands separated from each other by
narrow bodies of water
Ashfall Clouds of a powdery dust that is released by an erupting volcano
Calamity A disaster causing great loss or damage
Casualties People or things injured, lost or destroyed as a result of some
event like a natural disaster
Coastal areas Zones of land that border the sea
Continuous Goes on without stopping
Coral reef A bank of coral or rock-like formations in the sea
Deforesting Cutting down forest trees without replacing them
Deteriorating Growing worse
Dike A wall built to prevent flooding
Dormant Not active, but having the ability to be active at a later time
Drainage channel A path along which liquid wastes flow
Earthquake The shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface caused by
volcanic activity or the movement of tectonic plates
Epicenter The area on the earth’s surface directly above the origin of an
earthquake
Equator An imaginary line that divides the earth’s surface into two equal
parts, the north and the south
Eruption The way liquids, solids and gases are thrown out on the earth’s
surface by volcanic activity. This can range from explosive outbursts
to quiet, noiseless lava outflow
Fault A break or crack in the earth’s surface
Geologist A person who is an expert in the origins, structure, and
composition of the earth, especially its rocks
Habitat The natural surroundings in which an animal or plant lives
Hesitate To delay in acting or making a decision

52
Inactive volcano A volcano which has no record of eruption and is
beginning to change its form due to weathering and soil erosion
Landslide Sudden downward movement of a mass of soil
Lahar Mudflow
Lava Magma that has reached the surface of the earth
Lightning A bright flash of light in the sky
Liquefaction The loss or decrease of the soil’s strength causing it to
behave more like a liquid than a solid
Magma Very hot, molten rock deep within the earth which is expelled
during a volcanic eruption
Mattress A large flat, fabric-covered pad made of foam used for
sleeping on
Mudflow A combination of volcanic particles and water
Potable water Fit for drinking
Precautionary measure An action taken to avoid risk or danger
Prohibits Prevents; bans; disallows
Prone Has the tendency
Respiratory diseases Diseases that affect the lungs and respiratory tract
Ring of Fire The belt of volcanoes that surround the Pacific Ocean. This
belt contains about 2/3 of the world’s volcanoes
Slippery So smooth or wet as to cause or allow slipping
Slope A slanting surface
Soil erosion Loosening and transportation from one place to another of
soil materials by water, wind and living organisms including human
activity
Stampede A large group of people or animals all moving suddenly in the
same direction and at the same time. It is possible to get badly hurt in
a stampede
Storm An outbreak of violent weather, with severe winds and heavy
rains often accompanied by thunder and lightning
Tectonic earthquake An earthquake caused by the movement of
tectonic plates
Tectonic plates Huge parts under the earth’s surface that are constantly
moving due to the extreme heat in the inner parts of the earth

53
Thunder A deep rumbling or loud cracking sound heard after a lightning
Tropical regions The parts of the earth that lie between 23.50 north and
23.50 south of the equator
Tsunami A series of giant waves caused by underwater volcanic
eruption, earthquake or landslide
Vent An opening at the earth’s surface through which volcanic materials
are released
Volcanic earthquake An earthquake caused by volcanic eruption
Volcano A hill or mountain which formed around an opening at the
earth’s surface called a vent
Weathering Changing in color, texture or shape caused by exposure to
sun, wind and rain

References

Federal Emergency Management Agency. Earthquakes: Things to Know.

<http://www.fema.gov/kids/knw_eq.htm.> 12 March 200, date
accessed.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hurricane. <http://
www.fema.gov/kids/hurricat.htm.> 12 March 2000, date accessed.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Tasty Quake Activity. <http://
www.fema.gov/kids/tastyeq.htm.> 12 March 200, date accessed.
Southern California Earthquake Data Center. Home Safe Home. <http://
www.scedc.scec.org/homesafe.html.> 8 March 2001, date accessed.
Southern California Earthquake Data Center. Reviewing the Basics.
<http://www.scecdc.scec.org/eqabc.htm.> 8 March 2001, date
accessed.
Southern California Earthquake Data Center. Your Personal Safety. <http:/
/www.scedc.scec.org/safety1.html.> 8 March 2001, date accessed.
Think Quest. Glossary. <http://www.library .thinkquest.org/17457/
English.html.> 9 March 2001, date accessed.
University of Washington College of Engineering. Liquefaction. <http://
www.ce.washington.edu/~liquefaction /html/main.htm.> 10 March
2001, date accessed.

54