Earthquakes

An earthquake is a sudden jolt of the earth's crust, followed by shaking, rolling, or a series of shocks. It can feel gentle or dramatic, depending on the scale of the quake and your proximity to it. Earthquakes can be caused by volcanic activity (near or far away), or by the release of tension along cracks (or 'fault lines') in the Earth's crust. The Earth's hard outer crust is made up of several pieces, called plates, which slowly move over the liquid layer underneath. When the plates push and shove against each other with enough force, an earthquake occurs.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are 500,000 earthquakes detected in the world each year. Only 100,000 of those can be felt, and only 100 of those cause damage. In the U.S., Alaska has the most earthquakes, while Florida and North Dakota have the fewest. Earthquakes can occur across the country, from Southern California to South Carolina, with little or no warning whatsoever. In high-risk areas, you must be prepared at all times. Get an Emergency Supply Kit, create a Family Emergency Plan, fix potential hazards in the school (fasten shelves securely to walls, brace overhead light fixtures, etc.), and identify the safest places both inside and outside your school.

Download Earthquake Checklist (pdf)

States affected:

Alaska
California
Oregon

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