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What is an earthquake?  An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth when rocks deep underground shift and move. Earthquakes occur along fault lines, places where large pieces of the earth’s crust called tectonic plates meet. When those plates shift, it builds up pressure, which eventually causes the surface of the earth to shake. 

When and where do earthquakes happen? Earthquakes can happen any time. They aren’t more or less common during certain seasons or types of weather, so it’s good to be prepared any time of the year. Regions along fault lines are much more likely to be at risk for earthquakes:

• The San Andreas Fault in California, where the Pacific and North American plates meet, is one of the biggest in the world, which is why California faces the highest risk of earthquakes. Western Oregon, Washington and the Alaskan coast are also at high risk for earthquakes.

• Other areas of significant risk include southeastern Missouri, northeastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, and western Kentucky (all along the New Madrid Fault Zone), as well as the east coast from coastal South Carolina through the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

How are earthquakes measured? When an earthquake is reported in the news, you may have heard it called a “4.5” or “5.2 magnitude” quake. This refers to the relative size of the earthquake, on a scale of 1.0 to 7.0 or higher. The higher the number, the stronger the quake. The amount of damage caused by an earthquake will depend both on the magnitude and how close you are to the epicenter.  The closer to the epicenter, the stronger the shaking.  Strong earthquakes that hit in or near an urban area where there are a lot of people and buildings can cause significant damage.

Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They can happen over hours, days, even weeks or months. In general, the larger the initial quake, the more aftershocks are likely to occur. 

If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, there are many ways you can make your home more prepared! For things that require significant home repair or reinforcements, consult with a contractor who has specific experience in disaster-mitigation construction. 

Add these steps to your household prep plan:

• Make sure to bolt and brace appliances and large furniture like bookcases to wall studs and don’t hang heavy items like mirrors or big pictures above couches or beds.  Have a professional install flexible fittings to appliances to avoid leaks.  

• Go big: Have a professional examine your home to make sure it’s securely anchored to its foundation, and look at possible ways to strengthen exterior features like porches, decks, sliding glass doors, and garage doors.

• Review your home or renter insurance policy to see if damage from earthquakes is covered. Standard homeowner insurance usually doesn’t cover earthquakes, so you may want to consider purchasing earthquake insurance if you don’t have it now. Talk with your insurance agent about options.

Immediately after & aftershocks: in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, remember that  aftershocks may continue for some time. Here are a few things to do immediately after an earthquake:

• Any time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover, and hold on again.

• If you are in an area at risk for tsunamis - listen for updates and go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.

• If you are in a mountainous area, watch for falling rocks or debris. Landslides can be triggered by earthquakes.

• Be careful navigating around fallen debris and opening any closet or cabinet doors in your house carefully, as items may have moved or fallen during the earthquake.

After the major quake and aftershocks:

After the major quake and aftershocks are over, it’s time to assess everyone’s safety and the damage.  Remember it’s normal to feel anxiety or grief, so take care of yourself and your loved ones. The most important thing is that you and your loved ones are safe, and you’ve done what you could to lower your risks and protect your home.

Basic Necessities: 

• Shelter: If your home isn’t safe or habitable and you can’t stay with neighbors or friends, find a local shelter near you. You can:

  • text SHELTER and your zip code to 4FEMA (43362), e.g.  SHELTER 01234. 

  • Search on the FEMA app or Red Cross app for open shelters.

    • In the FEMA app, click “Disaster Resources” → “Shelters” → “Map View”

    • In the Red Cross app, click the Maps icon on the bottom right.

• Food & Water: If you do not have access to food and water, or if you’re not certain your supplies are safe to consume, find a local food bank by contacting a shelter or through feedingamerica.org.

  • Refer to the Food & Water Safety action for tips on how to safely manage and store food and water during and after a disaster.

• First aid: If anyone is seriously sick or injured, call 911. If you are not sure if the injury warrants a trip to the hospital, err on the side of caution and go to the hospital or local urgent care.  Here is a list of some of the signs that you should go to the emergency room. If the injury is minor, administer first aid if you are trained and contact your healthcare provider for instructions.

Once you know everyone is safe:

• Contact family and friends, including your out-of-area emergency contact. For non-emergencies, use text or social media to reduce the strain on phone systems. Check in on your neighbors - this is a time we need to lean on each other. 

• If you had to evacuate or your area or home is hard hit by the earthquake, wait for authorities to confirm that it’s safe to return to your home. When you get home, enter carefully and be mindful of hazards. 

• When you start cleaning up, wear protective clothing, sturdy shoes or boots, and work gloves, and use a face covering if you could be cleaning where mold is present. 

Refer to the Recovery action for tips and resources on recovery after an earthquake.