What Everyone Needs to Know about Earthquakes!
June 25, 2025
“What to do when the ground shakes.”
——-
Weather-related events and natural disasters have garnered increased attention in recent years. The frequency and severity of such events since the turn of the century has compelled millions to learn more about storms like hurricanes and tornados. Earthquakes may not have generated as much interest among the general public as hurricanes and other weather-related events, but basic knowledge of earthquakes can be lifesaving and should be a vital component of anyone’s emergency preparedness plan.
What happens to make an earthquake occur?
The United States Geological Survey notes earthquakes occur when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. The surface where the slip occurs is called the fault or fault plane.
What is the difference between hypocenter and epicenter?
Reports about earthquakes may allude to the terms hypocenter and epicenter, which can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the terminology. But the distinction between hypocenter and epicenter is simple. The hypocenter is the location below the earth’s surface where an earthquake begins. The epicenter is the location directly above the hypocenter on the surface of the earth.
Where do earthquakes occur in North America?
There’s a misconception that earthquakes occur exclusively on the western coast of the United States. In fact, the USGS notes earthquakes can occur in any location at any time. However, the USGS also points put that three large zones of the earth have historically proven most vulnerable to earthquakes. Those zones include the circum-Pacific seismic belt along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where roughly four in five of the world’s largest earthquakes occur. That belt includes the western coast of the United States, and actually extends from Chile to New Zealand. The Alpide and the submerged mid-Atlantic ridge are the two additional zones of the earth where earthquakes occur most often.
What can be done to stay safe during an earthquake?
Because earthquakes can occur at any time and anywhere, it’s important that everyone know what can be done to stay safe should one strike. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers the following earthquake safety tips.
· Pull over: Stop driving if you’re in a car when an earthquake strikes. Set the parking the brake after pulling over.
· Stay outside: If you’re outside when an earthquake strikes. Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop and cover until shaking stops to protect yourself against flying debris.
Knowledge of earthquakes and what to do should one strike can be lifesaving.
