Earthquake

Order our emergency preparedness book so you can be prepared for a terrorism emergency. Don't wait until it is too late.

What It Is

An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. Stresses in the earth's outer layer push the sides of the fault together. Stress builds up and the rocks slips suddenly, releasing energy in waves that travel through the
earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel during an earthquake. An earthquake occurs when plates grind and scrape against each other.

What It Does

Earthquakes cause ground shaking, surface faulting, ground failure, and
less commonly, tsunamis.

Be Prepared

(1) Practice duck, cover, and hold drills at home with your family and at work.

Injuries and deaths during earthquakes are caused by falling objects and collapsing structures. Knowing how to protect yourself when the shaking starts may save your life. Duck under a strong table or desk. Cover
your head and face to protect them from broken glass and falling objects. Hold onto the table or desk and be prepared to move with it. Hold your position until the shaking stops.

Do not run outside during the shaking or use the stairways or elevators. Many people are killed just outside of buildings by falling bricks and other debris.

If you are driving when the earthquake strikes, move to the shoulder of the highway and away from bridges, overpasses, power lines, and large buildings as quickly as is safe. Stay in your car and wait for the shaking to
stop.

(2) Develop an earthquake plan at home, in your neighborhood, at school, at work.

(3) Make an earthquake survival kit.

(4) Protect your belongings.

Our emergency preparedness book will help you be prepared.

Order our emergency preparedness book.