cor 10

Earthquake and Hazard Mitigation

Geographical Hazard Maps

  • Geographical hazard maps are specialized maps that indicate the hazard susceptibility of areas.

  • They are crucial for disaster preparedness and management.

  • Geologic mapping plays a vital role in education, science, business, and public policy concerns.

    • Use of Geologic Maps:

    • Help assess likelihood of natural hazards.

    • Aid in preparing for and minimizing damage from these hazards.

    • Further exploration can be found by clicking on relevant markers on the map.

Earthquake Intensity Scales

  • MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale):

    • Ranges from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction).

  • PEIS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Earthquake Intensity Scale):

    • Ranges from I to X.

Intensity Percentages

  • Not Susceptible: 100%

  • MMI-IX (PEIS VIII): 0.3%

  • MMI-VIII (PEIS VIII): 0.15%

  • MMI-VII (PEIS VII): 0.07%

  • MMI-VI (PEIS VI): 10.04%

Hazard Mitigation

  • Definition:

    • Hazard mitigation describes actions aimed at reducing or eliminating long-term risks caused by hazards or disasters (e.g., flooding, earthquakes).

  • Increasing disaster costs necessitate finding ways to reduce risks to communities.

  • Role in Planning:

    • Mitigation should be integrated into community development and existing infrastructure planning efforts.

    • Purpose is to break the cycle of disaster recovery by promoting rebuilding strategies that enhance community resilience.

Common Mitigation Actions

  • Enforcement of building codes, flood management regulations, and environmental regulations.

  • Maintain public safety measures (e.g., roadways, culverts, dams).

  • Relocate structures in flood-prone areas.

  • Acquire undeveloped hazard-prone lands to prevent future construction.

  • Retrofitting structures to withstand hazards (e.g., elevating buildings).

  • Protect critical infrastructure from potential hazards.

  • Plan for emergency operations and disaster recovery.

  • Develop outreach materials on hazard mitigation.

  • Deploy public warning systems for alerts.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Revision Process

  1. Organize Resources & Build the Planning Team:

    • Collect studies, plans, and resources; create a team with municipal representatives and stakeholders.

  2. Develop Plan's Risk Assessment:

    • Identify hazards, evaluate past events using scientific evidence, and rank hazards by threat level.

  3. Assess Capabilities:

    • Review local emergency management capacities and resources.

  4. Develop Mitigation Strategy:

    • Assess goals, revise past actions, and prioritize new mitigation actions.

  5. Determine Plan Maintenance Process:

    • Establish review schedule, responsible departments, and methods for retaining public engagement.

  6. Obtain Approval and Adoption:

    • Have draft available for public comment; submit for governmental review and adoption.

Hydro-Meteorological Hazards

  • Caused by extreme meteorological and climatic events (floods, droughts, hurricanes).

  • Account for a significant portion of natural hazards globally; vary in impact based on region.

Definition of Hydrometeorology

  • A branch of meteorology and hydrology focusing on water and energy transfer between land and atmosphere.

Examples of Hydro-Meteorological Hazards

  • Typhoon: Low-pressure area over warm water in the Western Pacific.

  • Thunderstorm: Atmospheric disturbance with lightning, heavy rainfall, and possible tornadoes.

Mitigation Techniques

Types of Mitigation Techniques

  • Prevention: Actions that influence development to minimize hazard losses.

  • Property Protection: Modifications to safeguard structures from hazards.

  • Public Education and Awareness: Inform communities about hazard risks and mitigation.

  • Natural Resource Protection: Maintain functionality of natural systems to reduce hazard impact.

Summary of Key Mitigation Actions

  1. Government and Administrative Actions: Zoning laws, capital improvements, and environmental regulations.

  2. Property Protection Measures: Relocation, retrofitting structures, and emergency response actions.

  3. Public Education Initiatives: Hazard awareness campaigns and educational outreach.

  4. Emergency Services: Systems for public alerts and response during hazard events.

Community Preparedness

  • Developing a community disaster preparation strategy enhances public health and safety during disasters.

  • Engage in discussions and intentional planning within local communities.

Formulating a Community Disaster Preparedness Plan

  1. Establish a community warning system.

  2. Create neighborhood directories for emergency contacts.

  3. Identify community members requiring special assistance.

  4. Recognize individuals with special skills and emergency assets.

  5. Develop plans for pet care during emergencies.

  6. Ensure evacuation and property protection plans are in place.

Essential Items for Emergency Kits

  • Water: 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days.

  • Food: Non-perishable items for 3 days.

  • Essential Supplies: Flashlight, first aid kit, medications, sanitation supplies, cell phone with chargers.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Principles

  • DRR approaches aim to mitigate both existing and potential disaster risks while fostering community resilience.

  • Key Elements of DRR Management:

    • Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery.

Importance of DRR in the Philippines

  • High exposure to disasters necessitates effective DRR and management frameworks to safeguard communities and promote resilience to climate impacts.

Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Focus on community engagement in understanding and managing risks to save lives and enhance cooperation among members during crises.