Earthquake FAQs

During an earthquake, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy desk or table (or against an interior wall), and hold on until the shaking stops. Stay away from windows, heavy furniture, and exterior walls until it's safe. Do not run outside during shaking.

Secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls, identify safe spots in each room, and establish a household communication plan. Stock an emergency kit with at least 72 hours of food, water, and essentials. Familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes and practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your household.

Surviving an earthquake starts with preparation before it strikes. During shaking, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Afterward, check for injuries, avoid damaged structures, and watch for hazards like gas leaks or downed power lines.

"Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the standard earthquake response: Drop to your hands and knees, take Cover under a sturdy desk or table (or against an interior wall if no desk is nearby), and Hold On until shaking stops. This protects you from falling objects and shifting furniture. Do not run outside during shaking.

Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to exit. Aftershocks may occur for hours or days. Evacuate only if the building is visibly damaged or you smell gas. Otherwise, check for injuries, inspect utilities, and await official guidance from local emergency services.

Earthquakes are caused by sudden movement of tectonic plates along fault lines. Stress builds up as plates push, pull, or slide past each other, and when the rock breaks or slips, the energy is released as seismic waves. The USGS publishes real-time earthquake data at earthquake.usgs.gov.

The Richter Scale (now largely replaced by the Moment Magnitude Scale) measures earthquake magnitude on a logarithmic scale. Each whole number represents roughly 32 times more energy release. Magnitude 2 is barely felt; 5 causes damage; 7 is major; 8+ is catastrophic.

Yes. Aftershocks can cause additional structural damage, especially to buildings already weakened by the main quake. They can occur minutes, days, or months after the main event. Stay alert for a minimum of 72 hours and avoid damaged structures.

Move away from buildings, power lines, trees, and overpasses. Drop to the ground in an open area and cover your head and neck with your arms until shaking stops. If driving, pull over and stop; avoid bridges, overpasses, and wires.