What to do before an earthquake - be prepared!

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without

warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and
advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury
or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster
cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead
lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic
building standards, will help reduce the impact of
earthquakes.

Six Ways to Plan Ahead

1. Check for Hazards in the Home

 Fasten shelves securely to walls.

 Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
 Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china
in low, closed cabinets with latches.
 Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from
beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
 Brace overhead light fixtures.
 Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
These are potential fire risks.
 Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and
bolting it to the floor.
 Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert
advice if there are signs of structural defects.
 Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products
securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
 2. Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors

 Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.

 Against an inside wall.
 Away from where glass could shatter around windows,
mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy
furniture could fall over.
 In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and
electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

3. Educate Yourself and Family Members

 Contact your local emergency management office or

American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes.
Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect
your property from earthquakes.
 Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire
department and which radio station to tune to for emergency
information.
 Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas,
electricity, and water.

4. Have Disaster Supplies on Hand

 Flashlight and extra batteries.

 Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
 First aid kit, manual and an earthquake supplies kit.
 Emergency food and water.
 Nonelectric can opener.
 Essential medicines.
 Cash and credit cards.
 Sturdy shoes.
 5. Develop an Emergency Communication Plan

 In case family members are separated from one another

during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when
adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for
reuniting after the disaster.
 Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family
contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance.
Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and
phone number of the contact person.

6. Help Your Community Get Ready

 Publish a special section in your local newspaper with

emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information
by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices,
the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
 Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
 Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross
officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility
impairments on what to do during an earthquake. Provide tips on
conducting earthquake drills in the home.
 Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water
companies about shutting off utilities.
 Work together in your community to apply your knowledge
to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and
neighborhood and family emergency plans.

What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware

that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger
 earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a
few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the
shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

Indoor safety

 DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy

table or other piece of furniture - it can provide you with air
space if the building collapses, and if you get under a table and it
moves, try to move with it; and HOLD ONon until the shaking
stops. If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and
head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the
building. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls,
and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
 Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes.
Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under
a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the
nearest safe place. Be sure to have shoes by the bedside and put
them on before you get out of bed in case there is broken glass or
other objects that have become a hazard. The last thing you need
at this point is cut feet that need urgent care.
 Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to
you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing
doorway. Inner walls or door frames are the least likely to collapse
and may also shield against falling objects. If other cover is not
available, go to an inner corner or doorway, away from windows
or glass panels.
 Stay away from glass and hanging objects, and bookcases,
china cabinets, or other large furniture that could fall. Watch for
falling objects, such as bricks from fireplaces and chimneys, light
 fixtures, wall hangings, high shelves, and cabinets with doors that
could swing open.
 Grab something to shield your head and face from falling
debris and broken glass.
 If the lights go out, use a battery-operated flashlight. Don't
use candles, matches, or lighters during or after the earthquake. If
there is a gas leak, an explosion could result.
 If you are in the kitchen, quickly turn off the stove and take
cover at the first sign of shaking.
 Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.
Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside
buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the
building or try to leave.
 Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler
systems or fire alarms may turn on.
 DO NOT use the elevators.

High-rise buildings

 Get under a desk and stay away from windows and outside
walls. Stay in the building. The electricity may go out, and the
sprinkler systems may come on. DO NOT use the elevators.

Crowded indoor public places

 If you are in a crowded public place, do not rush for the

doorways. Others will have the same idea. Move away from
display shelves containing objects that may fall. If you can, take
cover and grab something to shield your head and face from
falling debris and glass.

Outdoor safety
 Stay there.
 Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
 Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The
greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and
alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the
1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside
of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls.
Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct
cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result
from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

Automobiles

 If you are in a moving automobile, stop as quickly and safely

as possible and move over to the shoulder or curb, away from
utility poles, overhead wires, and under- or overpasses. Stay in
the vehicle, set the parking brake, and turn on the radio for
emergency broadcast information. A car may jiggle violently on
its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the shaking stops. If
you are in a life-threatening situation, you may be able to reach
someone with either a cellular or an emergency roadside
assistance phone.
 Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid
roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the
earthquake.

If trapped under debris

 Do not light a match.

 Do not move about or kick up dust.
 Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
 Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a
whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can
cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

What to Do After an Earthquake

 Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually

less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do
additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the
first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.
 Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for
the latest emergency information.
 Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
 Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off
shelves.
 Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your
assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief
organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
 Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal
areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly
called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami
warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way.
Stay away from the beach.
 Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your
neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the
elderly, and people with disabilities. Give first aid where
appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are
in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
 Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other
flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or
fumes from other chemicals.
 Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed
damage could lead to a fire.
 Inspect utilities.

 Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or

hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn
off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas
company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any
reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
 Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or
broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the
electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to
step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an
electrician first for advice.
 Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you
suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call
a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water
company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe
water by melting ice cubes.
 Jump to Navigation

20 Largest Earthquakes in the World

View 20 Largest Earthquakes in the World on Map

Time
Ma Alternative Date Latitu Longitu Referenc
Location (UTC
g Name (UTC) de de es
)

Kanamori
9. Bio-Bio, Valdivia 1960-05- 19:1 38.14 73.41° &
1.
5 Chile Earthquake 22 1 °S W Anderson
, 1975

1964 Great
Alaska Kanamori
9. Southern Earthquake, 1964-03- 03:3 60.91 147.34 &
2. Prince William
2 Alaska 28 6 °N °W Anderson
Sound , 1975
Earthquake,
Good Friday
 Time
Ma Alternative Date Latitu Longitu Referenc
Location (UTC
g Name (UTC) de de es
)

Earthquake

Sumatra-Andama
n Islands
Off the
Earthquake,
West Coast Duputel
9. 2004 Sumatra 2004-12- 00:5 3.30° 95.98°
3. of et al.,
1 Earthquake and 26 8 N E
Northern 2012
Tsunami,
Sumatra
Indian Ocean
Earthquake

Near the
Duputel
9. East Coast Tohoku 2011-03- 05:4 38.30 142.37
4. et al.,
1 of Honshu, Earthquake 11 6 °N °E
2012
Japan

Off the
East Coast
9. of the Kamchatka, 1952-11- 16:5 52.62 159.78 Kanamori
5.
0 Kamchatka Russia 04 8 °N °E , 1976
Peninsula
, Russia

Offshore Duputel
8. Maule 2010-02- 06:3 36.12 72.90°
6. Bio-Bio, et al.,
8 Earthquake 27 4 °S W
Chile 2012

Near the 1906 Ecuador–

8. 1906-01- 15:3 0.96° 79.37° Kanamori
7. Coast of Colombia
8 31 6 N W , 1977
Ecuador Earthquake

Rat
Kanamori
Islands,
8. Rat Islands 1965-02- 05:0 51.25 178.72 &
8. Aleutian
7 Earthquake 04 1 °N °E Anderson
Islands,
, 1975
Alaska

Eastern
8. Xizang-In 1950-08- 14:0 28.36 96.45° Kanamori
9. Assam, Tibet
6 dia border 15 9 °N E , 1977
region
 Time
Ma Alternative Date Latitu Longitu Referenc
Location (UTC
g Name (UTC) de de es
)

off the
West Coast Duputel
10 8. 2012-04- 08:3 2.33° 93.06°
of et al.,
. 6 11 9 N E
Northern 2012
Sumatra

Northern
11 8. Nias 2005-03- 16:1 2.09° 97.11°
Sumatra, NEIC
. 6 Earthquake 28 0 N E
Indonesia

Andreanof
Islands, Johnson
12 8. 1957-03- 14:2 51.50 175.63
Aleutian et al.,
. 6 09 3 °N °W
Islands, 1994
Alaska

Unimak Island Lopez &

13 8. South of 1946-04- 12:2 53.49 162.83
Earthquake, Okal,
. 6 Alaska 01 9 °N °W
Alaska 2006

Okal &
14 8. 1938-02- 19:0 5.05° 131.61
Banda Sea Reymond,
. 5 01 4 S °E
2003

15 8. Atacama, Chile-Argentin 1922-11- 04:3 28.29 69.85° Kanamori

. 5 Chile a Border 11 3 °S W , 1977

Kanamori
16 8. Kuril 1963-10- 05:1 44.87 149.48 &
. 5 Islands 13 8 °N °E Anderson
, 1975

Near the
East Coast
17 8. of Kamchatka, 1923-02- 16:0 54.49 160.47 Okal,
. 4 Kamchatka Russia 03 2 °N °E 1992
Peninsula
, Russia

Southern
18 8. 2007-09- 11:1 4.44° 101.37
Sumatra, NEIC
. 4 12 0 S °E
Indonesia
 Time
Ma Alternative Date Latitu Longitu Referenc
Location (UTC
g Name (UTC) de de es
)

Near the
Duputel
19 8. Coast of Arequipa, Peru 2001-06- 20:3 16.27 73.64°
et al.,
. 4 Southern Earthquake 23 3 °S W
2012
Peru

Off the
20 8. East Coast 1933-03- 17:3 39.21 144.59 Kanamori
Sanriku, Japan
. 4 of Honshu, 02 1 °N °E , 1971
Japan

References