Earthquakes are sudden rolling or shaking events caused by movement under the earth’s surface. Earthquakes happen along cracks in the earth’s surface, called fault lines, and can be felt over large areas, although they usually last less than one minute. Earthquakes cannot be predicted.
During an earthquake:
If you are inside a building:
- Stay where you are until the shaking stops. Do not run outside. Do not get in a doorway as this does not provide protection from falling or flying objects, and you may not be able to remain standing.
- Drop down onto your hands and knees so the earthquake doesn’t knock you down.
- Cover your head and neck with your hands to protect yourself from falling debris.
- If you are in danger of falling objects, and you can move safely, crawl for additional cover under a sturdy desk or table.
- If there is low furniture or an interior wall or corner nearby, and the path is clear, these may also provide some additional cover.
- Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as light fixtures or furniture.
- Hold on to any sturdy covering so you can move with it until the shaking stops. Stay where you are until the shaking stops.
If getting safely to the floor to take cover won’t be possible:
- Identify an inside corner of the room away from windows and objects that could fall on you.
If you are outside when you feel shaking:
- If you are outdoors when the shaking starts, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”. Stay there until the shaking stops.
If you are in a moving vehicle when you feel the shaking:
- If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely as possible and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.