Natural Hazards and Disasters

Study Notes

Typhoons are annual occurrences and the most frequent cause of disaster in the Philippines, having a severe impact on large parts of the country.
Storm surges are atmospheric disturbances manifested in strong winds accompanied by rain and often by thunder and lightning, causing severe damage to coastal areas.
Floods are the overflowing of excessive water onto an area which is normally dry, disrupting economic and social activities of the people.
Volcanic eruptions are the process where molten rock materials are emitted or ejected, resulting in the displacement and evacuation of people, damage to properties, and loss of lives.
Earthquakes are ground vibrations caused by volcanic activity, triggering landslides, and strong earthquakes may result in severe destruction of properties and infrastructure.
Tsunamis are very large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, affecting Philippine coastal areas up to four meters above sea level.
Landslides are the dislodging and falling of a mass of land and rocks, triggered by excessive rainfall or earthquakes.
Droughts are long periods without rainfall, causing damage to crops, economic losses, and disaster declarations.

Fires are rapid and persistent chemical reactions involving combustible materials and oxygen, resulting in destruction of properties and physical and psychological injuries or loss of lives.
Conflagrations are large disastrous fires involving numerous buildings or structures.
Maritime disasters are ill-fated events that occur at high seas, causing excessive damages, injuries, and loss of lives.
Land and air accidents are unplanned or unforeseen events that may occur either on air or on land, resulting mostly from ignorance or carelessness.
Oil spills are falloff of oil or similar substance from a container, resulting in environmental hazards, usually occurring at sea due to mishandling of vessels or sea mishaps.
Civil strife is social unrest with violent activities, destruction of properties, and chaos, resulting in injuries.
Pollution is the contamination of water, soil, or atmosphere by the discharge of noxious substances, causing hazards to the environment and health.
Red tide is the presence of toxic chemicals or pollutants in coastal waters, extremely affecting natural resources and resulting in food poisoning and deaths.