An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by shifting and breaking of rock beneath the Earth’s surface. Earthquakes can occur without warning and the shaking can be mild or severe, depending on the magnitude of the earthquake.
Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow a larger earthquake. They can occur for days or weeks after the main event. The number and intensity of aftershocks can vary greatly.
While not a high-risk area, Maryland has an average of 1 earthquake every 3 years. Educating yourself and others about earthquake safety is important so you can be prepared for these occurrences. If you travel to an area where earthquakes are more common, it's important to know what actions to take.
Before an earthquake
Preparing for an earthquake involves taking proactive steps to protect yourself and your family. Here are some key actions you can take:
- Create an emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, designated meeting points, and a communication strategy for family members or employees. For more information on creating an emergency plan, check out our Guide to Emergency Preparedness.
- Inform family members or employees about potential risks and emergency procedures to ensure their safety.
- Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies like food, water, first aid supplies, tools to shut off utilities, and important documents. For more ideas on what to add to your emergency kit, check out our “Build a Kit” video.
- Store important documents, such as birth certificates, insurance policies, and financial records in waterproof/fireproof containers or off-site locations.
- Learn life-saving skills like Drop, Cover, and Hold On which involves dropping to the ground, covering your head with your arms, and holding on to a sturdy object.
- Stay informed about risks in your area by signing up for Alert Anne Arundel.
- Conduct regular drills with your family to familiarize yourselves with your emergency plan and safety procedures.
- Secure heavy objects, such as shelves and bookcases, to prevent them from falling. For wall decor, you can use putty or adhesive strips to secure the item to the wall, giving it an extra layer of protection.
Businesses can also prepare for earthquakes to reduce the impacts on operations and safety. Here are some tips to prepare your business:
- Create a Business Continuity Plan. Regularly conduct emergency drills to test your plan and identify areas for improvement.
- Inform employees about potential risks and emergency procedures to ensure their safety.
- Store important documents, such as insurance policies, financial records, or customer information in waterproof/fireproof containers or off-site locations.
- Secure heavy objects, such as shelves and equipment, to prevent them from falling during an earthquake.
- Encourage management/leadership and employees to sign up for Alert Anne Arundel to receive emergency alerts.
- Consider installing seismic retrofitting to strengthen your building's structure.
- Look at your essential suppliers and/or partners that are located in earthquake-prone areas and consider alternate sources as backups.
- Stock your workplace with emergency supplies, such as first aid kits, water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio.
- Assess your insurance needs and consider business interruption insurance to protect your business in case of an earthquake.
During an Earthquake
Protect yourself and others during an earthquake by following these simple steps:
Indoors
- Stay put! The safest place is usually where you are.
- Avoid hazards including windows, doorways, and anything that could fall (bookcases, hanging objects).
- Drop, Cover, and Hold on!
- Drop to the ground to prevent being knocked over. For individuals using canes, carefully get as low as possible.
- Take Cover under a sturdy structure like a desk or table to protect yourself from falling objects. If there's no table or desk nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and crawl to an interior wall (away from windows).
Hold on until the shaking stops.
For individuals using walkers or wheelchairs, Lock, Cover, and Hold!
- Lock wheels if applicable.
- Cover your head and neck if possible.
- Hold on until the earthquake is over.
Outdoors
- Move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and powerlines.
- Find a safe spot, open spaces are generally safer.
Driving
- Move the car as far out of traffic as possible, pull over, and carefully stop.
- Find a safe spot away from trees, power lines, buildings, and overpasses.
- Engage the parking brake to prevent your car from rolling.
- Stay in your car.
- After the initial earthquake, avoid driving until you're sure the roads are safe.
Look out for fallen objects, such as power lines, signs, or debris.
After an Earthquake
- Check yourself and others for injuries. If someone is seriously injured, call for medical help immediately.
- Aftershocks can continue to occur days or weeks after a major earthquake. Be prepared for these by staying informed about any warnings or advisories issued by local authorities, and being ready to take shelter if necessary.
- Check your home and property for damage. If there is significant damage, evacuate the area.
- Avoid entering any buildings you suspect may be impacted by the earthquake, as these could present threats to safety. Only re-enter buildings once they have been properly inspected and deemed safe to enter.
- Avoid any spilled chemicals, gas line hazards, or downed power lines.
- If there is damage to your home or property, turn off the gas, water, and electricity.
- Report if you felt anything to the “Did You Feel It” webpage from the United States Geological Survey.
If you're trapped in a collapsed building:
- Stay calm and try to conserve your energy.
- Make noise so that rescuers can hear you.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth or your shirt to help filter the air.
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