Have you ever experienced an earthquake? If you have, you probably have not forgotten the feeling of the ground or floor moving beneath your feet. This section provides information about earthquakes and safety precautions for you and your family.

• Earthquake!
• Measuring an Earthquake
• Before an Earthquake -- Be Prepared
• During an Earthquake -- Be Safe
• After an Earthquake -- Be Careful

Earthquake!

Earthquakes occur when the tectonic plates that cover the earth collide or slide over each other and produce movement on the earth's surface. Earthquakes cannot be predicted or prevented.

An earthquake begins with rumbling and shaking, followed by more extreme jolting and jerking. Earthquakes can feel large or small, depending on how much the earth moves (or the strength of the earthquake) and how far away people are from the epicenter, or source.

Sometimes you just feel the ground shake a little. However, when the earthquake is stronger, things can fly off shelves, heavy objects can fall down, windows can break and entire buildings can come crashing down.


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Measuring an Earthquake

A machine called a seismograph measures the strength of an earthquake. The magnitude is measured on the Richter Scale and is described in the categories listed below.

• An earthquake of 2.0 or smaller can be felt only a little or not at all.
  
• An earthquake over 5.0 can cause damage from things falling and moving around too much.
  
• A 6.0 or higher magnitude earthquake is considered very strong, and 7.0 is classified as a major earthquake.

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Before an Earthquake -- Be Prepared

• Make sure your family has a portable radio with working batteries in it.
  
• Make sure you have enough flashlights with working batteries in them.
  
• Bolt heavy bookcases, mirrors, display cases and rolling carts to the wall so they do not tip over during an earthquake.

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During an Earthquake -- Be Safe

In an earthquake, it is important to stay safe by remembering to drop, cover and hold on.

• Drop to the floor.
  
• Get under a table, desk or stable area.
  
• Hold on to the table or chair leg with one arm and cover your neck with your other arm.

If you are not near something you can take cover under, take other steps to protect yourself. For example, move away from anything that could fall and sit down against an interior wall. If you are outside, move to a clear area away from power lines, trees, signs and buildings.


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After an Earthquake -- Be Careful

• Keep a flashlight handy to look around and check for damage.
  
• Put on slippers or shoes to protect your feet from anything that may have fallen and/or shattered on the floor.
  
• Be prepared for aftershocks; small earthquakes that can follow a big one.

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