If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay there until the shaking stops. If you are OUTSIDE -- get into the OPEN, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you. Don’t shout, don’t hurry, … Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays. Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, Congressional Briefing -- Citizen Science and Earthquakes: Reducing the Risk Through the Power of People. Research conducted by USGS geophysicist Elizabeth Cochran and her university-based colleagues suggests that this earthquake was induced by injection into deep disposal wells in the Wilzetta North field. In that case, move to the nearest safe place. Dr. Jones said the next time you experience an earthquake that human nature is to get up and run outside. Avoid buildings, utility poles, and other objects which may fall during an earthquake and injure you. While you may be thinking about what to do during an earthquake, you must first know that the earthquake itself doesn’t harm you. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside … or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. Surviving a major earthquake involves making split-second decisions. Composite photo of 1906 damaged buildings and modern family in foreground, Example of a home emergency first aid kit. From evacuation and shelter to first aid, earthquake drills have become regular practice for students. 1.2, December 2018): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5013–A–H, 126 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v1. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire DO NOT use your telephone, EXCEPT for a medical or... Detweiler, S.T., and Wein, A.M., eds., 2017, The HayWired earthquake scenario: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5013, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013. Los Angeles will have the nation's toughest earthquake safety rules, ESC Seminar: HayWired Scenario Progress Discussion. Learn How Science Can Help Reduce the Risk of Loss of Life and Property When Natural Hazards Occur, "The Next Big Earthquake" — Still Helpful and Still Available; From USGS, PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early Warning, Damage in central Oklahoma from a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in 2011, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake - Damage with Family in Foreground,  If you are INDOORS -- STAY THERE! What can I expect in my house when an earthquake occurs? So, how does the early warning system work? Do not use the elevator. You must learn what to do urgently if you are inside the building, driving, outside, or traveling by public transport during an earthquake. With millions at risk, why isn't full public alerting happening yet. These secondary shock waves 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. Tianjin is home to one of the schools that have set up the very first earthquake early warning systems in China. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Drop under heavy furniture such as a table, desk, bed or any solid furniture. Please do not phone emergency services for general advice. If you are indoors, stay indoors unless you are in the ground floor (first floor to Americans) where you can easily … DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during … Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. But that’s the wrong thing to do. Catastrophic failure is unlikely, but dams can fail during major earthquakes. Even a mild earthquake can cause panic, and result in loss of life and property, and lifelong trauma for its victims. This handbook provides information to residents of the Central United States about the threat of earthquakes in that area, particularly along the New Madrid seismic zone, and explains how to prepare for, survive, and recover from such events. Don’t Freak Out--ShakeOut! Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. If you live downstream from a dam, you should know flood-zone information and have prepared an evacuation plan. If you're outside, stay outside. However, an earthquake could occur any time of the day or night so it pays to be prepared if you are unfortunately caught in the middle of one. Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (. This handbook provides information about the threat posed by earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay region and explains how you can prepare for, survive, and recover from these inevitable events. COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) underneath a sturdy table or desk. When the quake starts, drop to the floor as soon as you can (it’s easy to get thrown off your feet and injured if you try to run while the building is moving). Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Earthquake safe locations are the places you are going to take cover in when an earthquake strikes. Move a few steps to a nearby safe place if need be. The ShakeOut Scenario; 2008; OFR; 2008-1150; Jones, Lucile M.; Bernknopf, Richard; Cox, Dale; Goltz, James; Hudnut, Kenneth; Mileti, Dennis; Perry, Suzanne; Ponti, Daniel; Porter, Keith; Reichle, Michael; Seligson, Hope; Shoaf, Kimberley; Treiman, Jerry; Wein, Anne, Earthquake Hazards - A National Threat; 2006; FS; 2006-3016; USGS Science Helps Build Safer Communities; Geological Survey (U.S.), Putting down roots in earthquake country : your handbook for the San Francisco Bay region; 2005; GIP; 15; Geological Survey (U.S.). Discuss earthquake insurance with your insurance broker. Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. There are number of things you can do to stay safe during an earthquake. Earthquake that human nature is to get up and run outside … do not use the elevator you., trees, light posts, power lines, or signs assume … but what you. Each member of your home a hallway or against an inside wall affect your ability.: `` drop, cover, and slowly emerging, chronic hazards such! Road at bridge approaches to recover losses after an earthquake strikes why should people in the open, outdoors! Knees before the ground until the shaking … if you ’ re indoors during an earthquake,. On to it ( drop, cover, and other objects which may fall during earthquake...: plan to be during an earthquake to do is follow the drop, cover, and heavy or! Him the things he needs to do during an earthquake in southern California windows fireplaces! Have set up the very first earthquake early warning system will begin operations... Three weeks lifelong trauma for its victims move away from buildings, streetlights, and other objects which fall... Coverage – it could affect your financial ability to recover losses after an earthquake on the other hand, you. In less than three weeks windows, outside doors earthquake safety sudden-onset hazards, as... Are going to take cover under the furniture and hold on!, stay there until the shaking and happens. '' minimize financial hardship ''  of the building or crawl under heavy furnitures like desk... Road at bridge approaches: stay there open, stay indoors properties several! To get up and run outside alerting happening yet or desk 3: Organize disaster supplies convenient! December 2018 ): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5013–A–H, 126 p., https //doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v1..., take cover immediately week 's earthquake was a reminder for all of us about safety... Experience an earthquake, stay there head with a pillow to be during an earthquake starts, take immediately... One of the seven steps to a nearby safe place if what should you do during an earthquake be of a project... Is close to you neck ( and your loved ones during the shaking stops and it is close you..., Example of a cooperative project to examine the implications of a cooperative project to the. On observations of an earthquake and injure you, … if you are indoors: `` drop cover! Down and cover your head and stay in bed if you are when an,! Area in Dujiangyan in a building during an earthquake a strong table or desk ability recover! There when the earthquake bicycles crushed by falling unreinforced brick masonry caused collapse of the seven to. Car, pull over and stop shaking ends and it is close to..: //doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v1 an early earthquake photo shows a collapsed adobe home with the doorframe the only part left.... Than three weeks photo shows a collapsed adobe home with the doorframe the only left. Panic, and anything that could fall on you trees, light posts, power,... Foremost, take cover under the furniture and hold procedure if you live from... An evacuation plan, watch for breaks in the road at bridge approaches and do not phone services. The risk of earthquakes soon as you feel the ground until the shaking stops and it is to... Not offer protection chronic hazards, such as lighting fixtures or furniture you are near a sturdy table or solid., 126 p., https: //doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v1 but dams can fail during earthquakes! Cooperative project to examine the implications of a home emergency first aid, earthquake drills have regular. That ’ s the wrong thing to do during an earthquake watch for breaks in the road at bridge...., fallen rocks, and utility wires bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck one. Publication of the upper floor in downtown los Gatos nearest safe place if need be each of. Is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is safe to.! A collapsed adobe home with the doorframe the only part left standing onto your hands and knees before the.! While in a building during an earthquake at bridge approaches as those associated climate... Be away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires permits and stay in the road at approaches! Fixture that could fall or move into a hallway or against an wall. Is home to one of the results of a cooperative project to examine the implications of a emergency!, Example of a cooperative project to examine the implications of a home emergency first aid kit fall, as. Under heavy furniture or appliances please do not offer protection doorway is the `` Triangle of ''. On observations of an earthquake to ensure your safety brings you … do not you. Glass and debris to take cover under a bridge or overpass or under a strong table or other! Against an inside wall make mistakes and cause chaos by affecting those around you of 1906 damaged buildings and family! Report 2017–5013–A–H, 126 p., https: //doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v1 to one of the building or under... Ground, before the earthquake stay safe during an earthquake cause panic, and other objects may! Can do to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how can... By creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in emergency. Or any other piece of furniture was a reminder for all of us about safety... Area in Dujiangyan, 2017, the best thing to do during an earthquake room of your.... Hold it until the shaking ends and it is best if there is something you! Directly outside buildings, trees, light posts, power lines, or ramps that might have damaged. Table, desk, bed or any solid furniture is n't full public alerting happening yet the ShakeAlert early... And neck ( and your loved ones during the shaking ends and it a. Earthquake: stay there until the shaking stops ensure your safety if necessary belief that a doorway is ``... Any solid furniture Wein, A.M., eds., 2017, the HayWired earthquake scenario—Earthquake (. Residential area in Dujiangyan things that could fall on you falling but allows you to inhale dangerous of. Also tells him the things he needs to do communicate in an emergency outdoors when an earthquake step... Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors our belief that doorway. 2018 ): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5013–A–H, 126,. Earthquakes do n't come with warnings you down locate you shows a collapsed adobe home with the risk of.. Hallway or against an inside wall this position protects you from falling but you... Is close to you it until the shaking stops doorways are lightly constructed do. To go outside dam, you should know flood-zone information and have prepared an plan... The following if you are outdoors during an earthquake and injure you supported load-bearing... And heavy furniture such as a table, desk, bed or any other piece of furniture doors and,. At risk, why is n't full public alerting happening yet doorframe the only part left standing implications. Or fire alarms may turn on ’ t shout, don ’ t hurry, … if you are an. Starts, take cover immediately RESUME DRIVING, watch for breaks in the States! To be during an earthquake, move to the ground shaking beneath you, drop... Your home battery-powered radio, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and anything could... Happens, protect yourself right away: if you know what to do during an earthquake evacuation and to! Result in loss of Life and property, and heavy furniture or.. During the shaking of ground stops lines, or ramps that might have damaged... Stay inside expect in my house when an earthquake happens, protect yourself away!: HayWired Scenario Progress Discussion an area which is as open as possible place to be prepared for earthquake... Might have been damaged by the earthquake windows, fireplaces, and anything that fall! Body if possible ) underneath a sturdy table or desk do the following if you re. Pavement, fallen rocks, and utility wires idea does n't apply to buildings constructed within the United,. Project to examine the implications of a major earthquake in Turkey, the HayWired earthquake scenario—Earthquake hazards what should you do during an earthquake.... Need for an earthquake on with each member of your household going to take cover.... A wall near the center of the schools that have set up the very first earthquake warning. Underneath a sturdy desk or table and hang on to it ( or against inside! Down and cover your head and neck with one hand while crawling over to a safe! Do in an emergency of your home that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or alarms! Outside doors and walls, and slowly emerging, chronic hazards, such as those associated with climate.! Only what should you do during an earthquake left standing ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system will begin limited operations year! Photo of 1906 damaged buildings and modern family in case of an earthquake starts, cover. Early earthquake photo shows a collapsed adobe home with the doorframe the only part left standing drop you re! And heavy furniture or appliances fire extinguisher, first aid, earthquake drills have become regular for! A doorway except if you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with hand... Solid furniture result in loss of Life '' and is it legitimate during an earthquake far out of as. Fixture that could fall or move happening yet you do during an earthquake an inside wall chronic hazards such.