BE PREPARED FOR AN
EARTHQUAKE
Earthquakes can collapse buildings and cause heavy items to fall, resulting in injuries and property damage.
Earthquakes are the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock.
Can happen anywhere. Higher risk areas are California, Alaska, and the Mississippi Valley
Gives no warning
Cause fires and damage roads
Cause tsunamis, landslides, and avalanches
IF AN EARTHQUAKE HAPPENS, PROTECT YOURSELF RIGHT AWAY
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If in a vehicle, pull over and stop.
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If in bed, stay there.
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If outdoors, stay outdoors.
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Do not get in a doorway.
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Do not run outside.
Hazard Scope and Impact
The hazard scope focused primarily on deaths and injuries in U.S. earthquakes and the U.S. built environment. Research related to damages to the built environment were primarily used in the context of deaths and injuries rather than for building resilience.
Death and Injuries Impact
Deaths and injuries were caused by falling, individual movement, household and nonstructural debris, structural collapse, and post-event cleanup. The effects varied by the earthquake intensity and other factors. For example, in the Northridge earthquake, the major causes of death were structural elements, motor vehicles, and falls; more than half the injuries were from non-structural debris. In several other California earthquakes, nonstructural items falling was the cause of more injuries than any other single cause (e.g., as much as half in the Whittier Narrows earthquake).
Effective Protective Action Timeframes
Protective Actions that can prevent deaths and injuries are split evenly among Protective Actions for securing potential debris before the event, actions to protect from debris during the event, and safety measures to prevent injuries during rescue and clean-up activities.