Shake, rattle and roll…
An average of 500,000 earthquakes occur around the world each year, approximately one-fifth of which can be felt by humans. Measured on the Richter scale, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 to 7.9 is considered “major,” while an 8.0 quake or higher is considered “great.” The U.S. Geological Society estimates that since 1900 there has been an average of 18 major and one great earthquake per year. The most recent great quake occurred in Japan in 2011, measuring 9.0 on the scale.
The result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that creates seismic waves, an earthquake is usually caused by the rupture of a geological fault, but can also be caused by volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts and nuclear tests. The point of initial rupture is called the “focus” or “hypocenter,” while the point at ground level directly above is known as the “epicenter.”
In addition to the incredible amount of damage that an earthquake can cause, one of the scariest things about a quake is how quickly it occurs. We can see a storm brewing and we usually receive plenty of advance notice if a hurricane is approaching, but an earthquake seemingly comes out of nowhere. Still, there are preparations you can make, and knowing what to do during and after an earthquake could save the lives of you and your family members.
As with other potential crises, you should have an emergency response plan in place in the event an earthquake occurs near you. Assemble your 72-hour survival kit, have bug-out bags ready for you and your family, and organize important documents in advance to be as prepared as possible.
Here are 4 things you can do in advance to make yourself ready for an earthquake:
- Practice your disaster plan with your family members. Don’t just talk about it – although that’s a good first step – but occasionally play it out so that it will seem like second nature if you have to deal with an earthquake.
- If you live in an area where earthquakes are common or even occasional, make sure that your shelves are fastened securely to walls, breakables are in cabinets that latch shut, heavier objects are on lower shelves, rollers and casters are off your heavy furniture, and walls and foundations are structurally sound.
- Know where your utility shut-off switches are in the house and keep bug-out bags near an exit.
- Don’t buy into earthquake myths. Doorframes are not safe to stand under, earthquakes do not always occur in the morning and sheltering next to sturdy furniture is not better than sheltering under it.
Most earthquake-related injuries occur due to flying debris and falling objects. Following are 4 steps you can take during an earthquake:
- Shield yourself immediately, whether indoors or out. Get under sturdy furniture. If in bed, cover your head with a pillow and hang on.
- If you’re indoors, stay away from windows, shelves and hanging fixtures. Get under a desk if you’re near one.
- If you’re outdoors, stay clear of buildings, trees, utility poles, streetlights and construction equipment.
- If you’re in a vehicle, stop as soon as you’re away from tall objects. Stay in the car and try to avoid bridges and ramps.
Aftershocks, which can be just as deadly as the original earthquake, and the damage that has been caused by an earthquake mean you need to be very cautious about what you do following a quake. Below are 4 actions you can take to avoid injury after a quake has already struck:
- Listen to emergency radio and pay attention to mainstream media reports about the damage in your area.
- Don’t assume that you are now safe. Structures that were loosened or uprooted during the quake may still be standing but could fall at any moment.
- Meet family members and/or co-workers in a safe place to make sure everyone is OK and to make any necessary plans to deal with the aftermath.
- Watch out for hanging wires, fires, gas leaks, falling glass, uneven ground and any other problems that may have been caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks.
I keep going to your videos and they are so long without getting to the point. They appear that they should contain good info but I give up before I get any. Can you forego telling us every time that the government is after you and get to the point? That would help me.
We have a wrecking/crow bar by the bed, not under, for use if trapped. All the best!
Do NOT look up (and be blinded) to check if something is falling on you.
The “next to is better than under” comment by Tom is also my understanding. This recommendation comes from the folks that do the rescues at the “big” earthquake events around the world. They see first hand where the survivors are found. They call that space next to a STURDY something, the “triangle of life”…for the shape of the resulting space when ceiling/rafter debris remain supported by the floor and the incompressible object. Most folks die from asphyxiation from inability to expand their chest—or from head trauma. This space helps avoid/minimize those situations.
Thanks for your good advice! Sometimes, we prepare carefully, we til can Not survive!! What if earthquake or tornado happen at night? If we don’t get killed by earthquake, we get kill by accident, flood, tornado, etc, etc,….,or mad person! This is our temporary life! Just prepare our lives after death!!
You write like a religious fanatic…bad spelling, bad grammar and faulty logic.
As I understand it has been shown that beside the desk is safer than under the desk. As ceiling falls and crushes the desk if you are under it you will too be crushed. The space along the desk is said to be safer as the ceiling will be suspended above you by the desks. Check with rescue specialists to be sure.
YES teach everyone ALL the utility turn-offs gas, water, electric,
Frank makes some very good points. Please note that he assumes (because he refers to) a “bug out bag”. This is where you start your preparations. One for each person, even if it’s an infant or someone as old as me (70+). Don’t forget to put medications that you need to take every day. Laugh if you want, but I have a bug out bag for the dog, and for each of the two cats. They will need care also. Tie that aquarium down if you want to keep your fish! Tie that big screen TV down, if you don’t want it to become a missle. Assume that phones (yes, cell also) won’t work. A small two-way radio for each person would be good, if you can manage that. Lightsticks are a must. Have the wrench by the door that you can use to turn off the gas, and be sure everyone who is able knows how to do that. Same for water and electric. If you are religious, pray for yourself, family and friends. It improves your self-confidence.
Your advice is excellent. I live in Japan and have been through some big one, including the March 2011 quake and tsunami. Fortunately the waves didn’t reach our home, but we had no water, electric, gas, and food for days. Chances are you will not have to evacuate from your home, but in addition to having those bags, water and food, buy a good jerry can or two and keep them topped with gasoline. Rotate them occasionally to keep the gasoline fresh, and by all means, buy a generator that can be very useful for camping out, but much more useful when there is no power to listen to the news, charge your cell phone, drive to the store or water distribution point, and even keeping your food from spoiling. After the March 2011 quake, I always have the gasoline, the water and the generator stored safely and ready to use.
Just pray, take your advise, that’s all we can do.
Good info, could you enlarge on the ‘doorway’ thing, we have been told that ‘since when’?
Thanks for this information, It could be just what one would need to be safe from injury.
Thankfully Dear Frank Bates!!! All the Best to You Your Family and the Friends*
Thank You for this very good information. You are doing a GREAT JOB!!!