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Earthquakes are one of the most devastating natural disasters which can cause widespread destruction and suffering when they strike.  Even though building technology and emergency services have improved over time, earthquake preparation remains a requirement in seismically active areas.

San Francisco after 1906 Earthquake

What is an Earthquake?

An earthquake is the shaking of the ground caused by the sudden release of energy during seismic activity.  This occurs along fault lines where the Earth’s tectonic plates collide.  This movement is transmitted via seismic waves that propagate from the focus of the event.  These waves cause the Earth to shake/tremble/quake as that energy is dissipated.  Most earthquakes only last a few seconds, although severe ones like the 1964 Alaska Earthquake can last up to three minutes.

Primary Effects

The primary effect of an earthquake is damage to solid structures and the creation of large fissures in the ground.  Seismic waves can cause materials to crack, warp, and break due to the movement they induce.  Earthquakes can also cause soil liquefaction, which can result in building collapses and landslides.  The immediate impact is damage or destruction of structures due to seismic waves.

Secondary Effects

Earthquakes have many secondary effects beyond seismic waves.  These can cause additional damage, injuries, and death after the earthquake strikes.

  • Fires from ruptured gas lines, fuel leaks, and broken water mains
  • Power outages from downed power lines
  • Communications outages from broken cables, wires, and inoperative cell phone towers
  • Water contamination from broken water mains and offline water treatment plants
  • Disease from decomposing bodies, garbage, sewage, and rotting food
  • Looting from criminals
  • Tsunamis from underwater landslides

Not only do you need to prepare for the earthquake itself, one needs to take other disasters into account and plan for them as well.

Before

This is the most important phase!  Take the time before an earthquake to get ready so that if and when one strikes, you and your family will be prepared.  This is where lives are saved and damage is minimized, so invest your time and efforts before an earthquake occurs to get ready.

The first steps are to ensure you have the proper gear and information ready for an emergency.  These include:

  • Create an emergency kit
  • Formulate a family communication plan
  • Purchase a Road ID or similar medical identification information band and wear it at all times
  • Locate safe spots in your home or office where you can take shelter
  • Practice earthquake drills at least twice per year

The immediate danger posed by earthquakes comes from falling objects and collapsing structures.  The following actions can reduce the damage from falling objects:

  • Fasten shelves securely to walls and place large or heavy objects on the bottom tiers
  • Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
  • Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
  • Fasten heavy items such as pictures and mirrors securely to walls and away from beds, couches and anywhere people sit.
  • Brace overhead light fixtures and top-heavy objects.
  • Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get advice from a licensed contractor if there are signs of structural defects.
  • Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.

The secondary danger from earthquakes results from broken lines, ruptured pipes, and severed cables.  These can cause leaks and fires which add to the devastation cased by the seismic waves:

  • Hire a licensed contractor to check both defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.  Make any necessary repairs.
  • Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas and/or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage during an earthquake.
  • Secure water heater, refrigerator, furnace and gas appliances by strapping them to the wall studs and bolting to the floor. If recommended by your gas company, have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.
  • Learn how to turn off water, electrical, and gas mains in the event of an earthquake.  Get the appropriate equipment (ex. T-handle) for your connections and ask your utility companies for information on how to safely turn connections off.

In the aftermath of an earthquake, many important services will be unavailable.  This includes police, fire, and emergency services along with utilities like gas, water, electricity, sanitation services.

This is a lot of work, no doubt about it.  However, preparing before an earthquake hits can make a big difference after one strikes.

During

Once the ground starts shaking, its important to find a safe place immediately.  What form this takes will depend upon where you are when the earthquake strikes.  Here are three different types of locations and what to do in each case.

Indoors

  • DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON 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.
  • Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection.
  • Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. 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.
  • DO NOT use elevators.

Outdoors

  • 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.

Vehicle

  • Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
  • Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
  • If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.
  • If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.

After

This is the longest and most difficult phase of an earthquake.  Damage can range from minor to severe and it can be weeks or months before services are restored to normal.  After major earthquakes it can be years before all the damage is repaired so don’t expect a quick return to normal.  Here is what you should do after an earthquake:

  • Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
  • After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes.
  • Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake.
  • Check yourself for injuries and get First Aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons.
  • After you have taken care of yourself, help any injured or trapped persons. If you have it in your area, call 9-1-1, then give First Aid when appropriate. Don’t try to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
  • Put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
  • Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
  • Listen to a portable, battery-operated or hand-crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
  • Check the telephones in your home or workplace to see if you can get a dial tone. Make brief calls to report life-threatening emergencies.
  • Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
  • Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
  • Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
  • Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.
  • Keep animals under your direct control.
  • Stay out of damaged buildings
  • Avoid smoking or any other open flames which may cause a fire.
  • If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage.
  • Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages
  • 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.

Additional Resources

The US Geological Survey has a page that shows recent earthquakes from around the world.  There is a lot of earthquake-related information on their page so bookmark it and visit it regularly.  Also, the Earthquake Country Alliance has an informative page geared towards earthquake preparation in the State of California.  Since the Golden State is prone to earthquakes, governments and private organizations are working together as a part of this alliance to help Californians become better prepared.

*Always follow your local community’s laws regarding weapons.  For more information about firearms law, check out Alan Korwin’s books on the subject at Bloomfield Press.