Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila

SCIENCE 8
Faults and Earthquakes

Quarter 2 Week 2 Module 2

Learning Competency:
Differentiate the:
1. epicenter of an earthquake from its focus;
2. intensity of an earthquake from its
magnitude;
3. active and inactive faults
(S8ES-IIA-15)

1
HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that
will disturb you while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple
instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit.
Have fun!
1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every
page of this module.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons.
Writing enhances learning, that is important to develop
and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key
card.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

8. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE MODULE

Expectations- These are what you will be able to know after completing
the lessons in the module.
Pre-test- This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be mastered
throughout the lesson.
Looking back to your Lesson- This section will measure what learnings and skills
did you understand from the previous lesson.
Brief Introduction- This section will give you an overview of the
lesson. Activities- This is a set of an activities you will perform with a
partner.
Remember- This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the lessons.
Check your understanding- It will verify how you learned from the lesson.
Post-test- This will verify how you learned from the entire module.

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 LESSON 1: EPICENTER VS FOCUS
EXPECTATIONS
You will differentiate the: epicenter of an earthquake from its focus; intensity
of an earthquake from its magnitude; active and inactive faults.
Specifically, this module will help you to
 Differentiate epicenter from focus and intensity from magnitude

PRETEST
Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer that best completes the sentence.
For questions 1-3, refer to the diagram.
B

C
A

1. Point A, where slip initiated during the earthquake, is called the .

A. Dip B. Epicenter C. Focus D. Scarp
2. Point B is called the earthquake .
A. Dip B. Epicenter C. Focus D. Scarp
3. Point C is called the
A. Epicenter C. Fault scarp
B. Seismic wave D. Dip of the earthquake
4. What is the difference between intensity and magnitude of an
earthquake?
A. There is no difference between intensity and magnitude.
B. Intensity measures energy while magnitude measures the
strength of an earthquake.
C. Intensity refers to the strength while magnitude refers to
the amount of energy released by an earthquake.
D. Intensity measures the thickness of an earthquake while
magnitude measures the amount of its strength.
5. Which statement tells the magnitude of an earthquake?
A. strength of shaking
B. amount of energy released
C. effect of an earthquake on Earth’s surface

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 D. uses Mercalli Intensity Scale

LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

Types of Faults Illustration

A. Normal Fault

 occurs when the hanging wall is

below the footwall
 caused by tensional stress

B. Reverse Fault

 occurs when the hanging wall is above

the footwall
 caused by compressional stress

C. Strike-Slip Fault

 are vertical (or nearly vertical)

fractures where the blocks have
mostly moved horizontally.
 caused by shear stress
 cause most of tectonic earthquakes

Directions: Illustrate the given fault.

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BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Read and learn more.

Earthquakes are vibrations or tremors produced in the earth’s outer layer or

crust. An earthquake can be tectonic. It occurs when parts of the earth’s crust break
and the rocks along a fault slide close to each other or away from each other. This is
called faulting. An earthquake may also be volcanic. Tremors are often produced to
signal an upcoming volcanic eruption in that vicinity or region.

The earthquake occurs at the focus. This is a zone within the earth where rock
displacement happens and causes an earthquake. The point directly above the focus is
called epicenter. This is the location that scientist calculates while focus is directly
below, however, scientist cannot determine its depth.
In addition, to locate the position of the earthquake’s epicenter, we need a
seismogram reading from at least three different seismograph stations and travel-
time graph which shows the speed of both P- and S- waves.

The illustration below shows the epicenter, focus and fault line.

Epicenter

Fault line

Focus

Fault line

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 ACTIVITY 1.1-EPICENTER VS FOCUS
Directions: Analyze the given diagram showing seismic waves spreading out from
the focus of an earthquake. Label each box of desired information.

Information:

 The epicenter is the point on the surface directly above the focus.
 Structures farther from the epicenter experience less shaking and less damage.
 The earthquake begins at the focus
 Structures near the epicenter experience more shaking and more damage.
 Seismic waves spread out in all directions from the focus.
 Fault

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 ACTIVITY 1.2 -INTENSITY VS MAGNITUDE

Direction: Analyze the given table. Answer the questions that follow.
Comparison of earthquake magnitude (MMS) and intensity (MMI)scales (USGS)

Guide Questions:

1. What does the Richter scale measure?

2. How can scientists use the magnitude and intensity data for earthquakes?

3. On the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, if an earthquake has an “intensity” of X, what

kind of damage and felt observations can one expect to see or feel?

4. Why is it important to know the magnitude and intensity of earthquakes?

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REMEMBER

 The point directly above the focus is called epicenter while focus is the zone
within the Earth where rock displacement happens and causes an
earthquake.
 Magnitude is the strength or force that generate an earthquake while
intensity is damages or effect of the earthquake as perceived by an
observer.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Differentiate the following. Choose from the given descriptions below. Write your
answers inside the box.

Focus Epicenter

Intensity Magnitude

 the zone within the Earth where rock displacement happens

 force that generate an earthquake.
 The point directly above the focus
 effect of the earthquake as perceived by an observer.

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POSTTEST
Directions: Write the letter of the best answer that best completes the

sentence. Refer to the given diagram for questions 1-3.

1. Point A, where slip initiated during the earthquake, is called the .

A. Dip C. Epicenter
B. Focus D. Scarp
2. Point B is called the earthquake .
A. Dip C. Epicenter
B. Focus D. Scarp
3. Point C is called the
A. Epicenter C. Fault scarp
B. Seismic wave D. Dip of the earthquake

C
A

4. What is the difference between intensity and magnitude of an

earthquake?
A. There is no difference between intensity and magnitude.
B. Intensity measures energy while magnitude measures the strength
of an earthquake.
C. Intensity refers to the strength while magnitude refers to the
amount of energy released by an earthquake.
D. Intensity measures the thickness of an earthquake while magnitude
measures the amount of its strength.
5. Which statement tells the magnitude of an earthquake?
A. strength of shaking
B. amount of energy released
C. effect of an earthquake on Earth’s surface
D. uses Mercalli Intensity Scale

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 LESSON 2: PHIVOLCS Earthquake
Intensity Scale (PEIS)

EXPECTATIONS
You will differentiate the: epicenter of an earthquake from its focus;
intensity of an earthquake from its magnitude; active and inactive faults.
Specifically, this module will help you to
 Discuss the scale adapted in the Philippines to describe the intensity and
magnitude of an earthquake.

PRETEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the following measures an earthquake’s intensity based on the

observed effects on people and structures?
A. Richter scale C. Centigrade scale
B. Modified Mercalli Scale D. Moment magnitude scale
2. People are interviewed and building are inspected to determine .
A. Intensity C. magnitude
B. Location of the focus D. location of an active fault.
3. The Richter scale measures:
A. The amount of radon gas released
B. The movement of plates
C. The strength of an earthquake
D. The weight of tectonic plates
4. An earthquake scored high on the Richter scale but low on the Mercalli
scale.
Why?
A. It probably happened in an area with no people
B. It was a fast damaged
C. Because it damaged a lot
D. Impossible to tell
5. An instrument that detects and measures earthquake is a
A. Seismogram
B. Focus seismic map
C. Focus
D. Seismograph
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BRIEF INTRODUCTION
There are two major scales in which earthquakes are measured. The magnitude
of a particular earthquake is a single number which does not vary from place to
place. Magnitude is the total energy released by an earthquake at its focus.
Earthquakes of large magnitude are stronger and generally more destructive than
those of small magnitude. The Richter Scale measures earthquake magnitude. The
intensity of an earthquake is measured in term of its geological effects and the overall
damage it brings. The intensity of an earthquake becomes weaker outward from
the epicenter. The Mercalli Scale measures the intensity of shaking. Measures of
intensity and magnitude correspond to each other as shown by the Table.

Modified Mercalli Scale Richter Scale

I. Felt by almost no one. 2.5 Generally not felt, but recorded
II. Felt by very few people. on seismometers.
III. Tremor noticed by many, 3.5 Felt by many people.
but they often do not realize
it is an earthquake.
IV. Felt indoors by many. Feels
like a truck has struck the
building.
V. Felt by nearly everyone; many
people awakened. Swaying
trees and poles may be
observed.
VI. Felt by all; many people run 4.5 Some local damage may occur.
outdoors. Furniture moved,
slight damage occurs.
VII. Everyone runs outdoors.
Poorly built structures
considerably damaged;
slight damage elsewhere.

VIII. Specially designed structures 6.0 A destructive earthquake.

damaged slightly, other
elsewhere.
IX. All building considerably
damaged, many shift off
foundations. Noticeable cracks
in ground
X. Many structures 7.0 A major earthquake.
destroyed. Ground is badly
cracked.
XI. Almost all structures fall. 8.0 Great earthquakes and up.
Bridges wrecked. Very wide
cracks in ground.
XII. Total destruction. Waves
seen on ground surfaces,

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objects are tumbled and
tossed.

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 ACTIVITY 2.1- PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity
Scale ( PEIS)
Directions: Analyze the given PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale. Answer the
questions that follow.

PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESKrF6nUcAEM3Yl.jpg

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Guide Questions:

1. What should you do during an earthquake?

Write your answer inside the box.

2. What to do during an earthquake. ( / or X )

Stay calm. Do not panic.

Stay tuned to the radio and follow instructions
Speak calm in order to relieve stress
Get outside the house or building at once
Find safe place or away from the objects that may fall

REMEMBER

 Magnitude: energy released by an earthquake.

 Richter Scale
 Intensity: the effect of an earthquake on Earth’s surface.
 Mercalli intensity

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CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

A. Analyze the table below and answer the questions that follow.

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY
EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION NO. : 4
PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P.- Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES
Tel.: 8426-1468 Fax: 8927-1087
Date/Time : 26 Jun 2020 - 07:54:58 PM
19.11°N, 121.19°E - 034 km S 57° W of Calayan
Location :
(Cagayan)
Depth of Focus (Km) : 029
Origin : TECTONIC
Magnitude : Mw 5.4
This will be the only bulletin issued unless additional information becomes
IMPORTANT available. Always refer to the latest earthquake information posted at the
PHIVOLCS official website (https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph).

1. What is the total energy released by the earthquake?

2. What is its corresponding intensity?

3. What are the possible effects of an earthquake?

B. Some part of Quezon city is located along a Major Fault line. Would buying
house and lot in this area advisable? Why?
Write your answer inside the box.

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POST-TEST

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the following measures an earthquake’s intensity based on the

observed effects on people and structures?
A. Richter scale C. Centigrade scale
B. Modified Mercalli Scale D. Moment magnitude scale

2. People are interviewed and building are inspected to determine .

A. Intensity C. magnitude
B. Location of the focus D. location of an active fault.

3. The Richter scale measures:

A. The amount of radon gas released
B. The movement of plates
C. The strength of an earthquake
D. The weight of tectonic plates

4. An earthquake scored high on the Richter scale but low on the Mercalli
scale. Why?
A. It probably happened in an area with no people
B. It was a fast damaged
C. Because it damaged a lot
D. Impossible to tell

5. An instrument that detects and measures earthquake is a .

A. Focus
B. Seismogram
C. Seismograph
D. Focus seismic map

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 LESSON 3: ACTIVE VS INACTIVE FAULT

EXPECTATIONS
You will investigate faults that lie in our country.
Specifically, this module will help you to
 Differentiate active from inactive faults

PRE-TEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. The place where the fault begins to slip is called .

A. Epicenter
B. Rocks
C. Focus
D. Active fault

2. What is the name for the chain of volcanos around the edge of the Pacific
Plate?
A. Circle of Fire
B. Ring of Lava
C. Ring of Fire
D.Circle of Magma
3. Once the elastic limit of the rocks is passed, they break and move along
surfaces called .
A. Fault
B. Earthquake
C. Strains
D.Stresses

4. It is a break in the Earth’s crust where significant movement occurred

A. Intensity
B. Focus
C. Epicenter
D.Fault

5. Which is not a method of spotting an active fault?

A. Checking historical backgrounds
B. Observing the surroundings
C. Studying vibrations
D.Interviewing survivors

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BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The movement of the plates creates a storage of energy that makes the crust in faults
move (also can make new faults in the process). This creating a shaking of the ground.
The magnitude of the earthquake depends on two factors. The energy stored and the
surface area of the plates. In which both factors are directly proportional to the
magnitude of an earthquake. The greater the energy the greater the magnitude of the
earthquake and the greater the surface area of the fault, the greater the magnitude of
the earthquake will be.

Fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two

blocks of rock. If you have watched the movie San
Andreas (Year 2015) in which the movie featured a
large earthquake that destroyed Los Angeles to San
Francisco. But is this movie based on fact or fiction?

In reality Los Angeles California and San Francisco

lies within the notorious San Andreas Fault. This
fault was discovered in 1895 by Prof. Andrew
Lawson. San Andreas Fault is approximately 1287
km long with a depth of 16km. That is approximately
20,592 km2 in surface area, thus can bring a very
large magnitude. Our own feared Marikina Valley
Fault is just 11% of this massive dread in the United
States.
Therefore, if we had the most feared Big One, then
there is a Bigger One in America. This area in the
United States recorded 5 major earthquakes from
1957-2004 with a 5.7-7.9 in magnitude.

Source: https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq3/move.html

The released energy of an earthquake is concentrated in the fault plane (fault line).
The epicenter on the other hand where seismologist locate the origin of an earthquake
is exactly on the top of the focus.

Source https://www.tulane.edu

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Fault lines can also be categorized in to two depending on their activities:

1. Active Fault – A fault line with a seismic activity for less than 10 years.
2. Inactive Fault – A fault line with no seismic activities for 1000 year or more.

CAN WE PREDICT
EARTHQUAKES?
Seismologists cannot predict the time and date in which an
earthquake may occur “but” they can predict the places that
an earthquake will occur due to the presence of faults.

ACTIVITY 3.1-Fault line and Magnitude

Materials: 4 pcs sky flakes crackers/biscuits

Procedures:
2. Get two rectangular pcs of sky flakes. Then designate the biscuits in trial 1
and trial 2 according to the image below.

Trial 1: Trial 2:

2. Apply one shear stress for both trial as shown in the image above. Make
sure the force you exert on trial 1 and trial 2 is the same. Also make sure the
biscuits’ sides are touching each other. Try repeating it thrice to ensure your
observation.

Guide Questions:

1. What does the biscuit and the force you applied represent an earthquake
mechanism?
a. fault -
b.vibration
c. ground or crust

2. From your observation, what trial creates a greater or stronger vibration?

3. How does the size of the fault affect the energy of an earthquake?

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 REMEMBER
 Earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing
great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic
action.
 Fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock.
 The greater the energy and the surface area of the fault, the greater the
magnitude of an earthquake.
 The released energy of an earthquake is concentrated in the fault plane (fault
line).
 The epicenter on the other hand where seismologist locate the origin of an
earthquake is exactly on the top of the focus.
 Active faults are considered as danger zones.
 Inactive faults on the other hand may generate earth-quakes hundred years
apart. Also, may not have moved within the recorded history of the area around
the fault.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Explain why San Andreas Fault can produce a larger earthquake compared to
Marikina Valley Fault.

2. Can we rest assure that an earthquake cannot occur in an inactive fault? Prove your
answer.

POST-TEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. The place where the fault begins to slip is called .

A. Epicenter B. Rocks C. Focus D. Active fault

2. Earthquake are common in the Philippines because it is located in an area

called .
A. Southeast Asia C. Pacific Ocean
B. Earthquake Prone Area D. Pacific Ring of Fire

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 3. How do faults produce earthquake?
A. Energy from inside the Earth makes the ground move, once friction is overcome,
a fault slips producing earthquake.
B. Magma and lava cause the ground to spread producing faults
C. Molten rock materials accumulate and go out along the fault producing
earthquake.
D. Tectonic plates collide forming volcanoes and causing earthquakes.

4. Which is not a method of spotting an active fault?

A. Checking historical backgrounds
B. Observing the surroundings
C. Studying vibrations
D. Interviewing survivors

5. Which of the following statements is FALSE about an earthquake?

A. Earthquake have caused countless death all over the world.
B. Earth was caused by movement along the fault
C. Earthquake is a vibration of the Earths due to rapid release of energy.
D. Earthquake with a magnitude of 2 can cause damage

LESSON 4: Faults and our Country

EXPECTATIONS
You will investigate faults that lie in our country. Specifically, this module
will help you to
 Using a map, locate and describe active and inactive faults in the Philippines

PRE-TEST
Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is
wrong.
1. An active fault has move in the past and is not capable of producing more
earthquake.

2. Our country which is an archipelago consists

of numerous numbers of faults

3. Our country also lies in the Philippine plate and also within the Pacific Ring
of Fire.

4. Metro Manila is within the reach of the Marikina Valley Fault.

5. The San Andreas Fault is an example of reverse fault.

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 BRIEF INTRODUCTION

FAULT LINES in the PHILIPPINES

Our country which is an archipelago consists

of numerous numbers of faults. Our country also
lies in the Philippine plate and also within the
Pacific Ring of Fire.

LIST of Active FAULTS in the Philippines

1. Marikina Valley Fault

2. Western Philippine Fault
3. Eastern Philippine Fault
4. Southern Mindanao Fault
5. Central Philippine Fault
6. Northern Luzon Fault
7. Masbate Island Fault
8. Eastern Mindanao Fault
9. Bondoc Peninsula Fault Zone
10. Infanta Fault Zone

Metro Manila is within the reach of the Marikina

Valley Fault that is why we are having extreme
precautionary drills and activities to avoid casua-
lties if the expected earthquake hits.

HOW CAN THEY PREDICT THE PLACES IN WHICH AN EARTHQUAKE MAY

OCCUR?

They can predict the places in which an earthquake may occur due to the faults
present on a certain place.
a. If there is a fault line then a large earthquake already occurred on
that place that
created the fault and it may happen again.

b. If there is no fault line then there haven’t been a large earthquake on that

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ACTIVITY 4.1- MAPPING ACTIVITY
Directions: The Philippines has many active faults. Determine the location of the faults
given below by drawing it on the map using red pen. (Use blue pen to pinpoint your
answer).

1. Marikina Valley Fault (Example)

2. Western Philippine Fault a. Luzon
3. Eastern Philippine Fault
4. Southern Mindanao Fault 1
5. Bohol East Fault
6. Northern Luzon Fault
7. Masbate Island Fault
8. Eastern Mindanao Fault
9. Bondoc Peninsula Fault Zone
10. Infanta Fault Zone

b. Visayas c. Mindanao

REMEMBER
 Our country lies beside the Philippine plate.
 Our country lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
 Earthquake locations can be identified by determining the fault lines within our
territory.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

3. Two fault lines are active. Fault line 1 recorded 10 earthquakes for the past 50 years
while fault line 2 recorded 2 earthquakes only with the same year. Which fault line will

23
 release a greater magnitude if fault line 1 has a distance of 100 km and fault line 2 has
120 km considering both have similar depth. Explain your answer.

POST-TEST
Directions: Modified True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and change
the underlined word with the correct one if it is FALSE.

1. An active fault has move in the past and is not capable of

producing more earthquake.

2. People are interviewed to determine intensity.

3. A horizontal movement of the fault planes is capable of

producing a tsunami

4. Focus is the origin of an earthquake.

5. NDRRMC is the government agency tasked in monitoring

earthquakes and volcanic activities.

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REFERENCES:
 Source: https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq3/move.html
 Source https://www.tulane.edu
 http://geomodderfied.weebly.com/magnitude-and-intensities.html

 https://topex.ucsd.edu/es10/es10.1997/lectures/lecture20/secs.with.pi
cs/node10.htm
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_liquefactionl
 https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-destruction-
caused-by-earthquakes.html
 https://www.brainpop.com/games/game-finder/?subject=Science
 https://www.quora.com/search?q=what%20is%20the%20difference%20
between%20manitude%20and%20intensity%20of%20an%20earthquake
 https://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=21
33&printable=1
 https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-
hazards/science/cool-earthquake-facts?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-
science_center_objects
 https://www.kids-fun-science.com/earthquake-focus.html
https://earthquakesandplates.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/difference-
between-earthquake-focus-and-the-epicenter/
 digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu › teach › lsnho
 www.classzone.com › sci_sc_8 › accessibility › sci_sc_8 › page_228

AUTHOR: BIBETH C. ROMERO

Pres. Sergio Osmena,Sr. High School (Manila)

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