Earthquake
Earth is a dynamic planet, with huge plates of rock moving around and bumping into each other. Sometimes this activity creates stress that builds up over time – until it can’t be held any longer. The sudden release of that energy produces earthquakes. They are felt all over the world.
When earthquakes happen, they cause changes in the earth’s surface that are often called “shakes”. They can also cause fires and power outages. Earthquakes can also generate tsunamis, which can be deadly if they strike coastlines.
The magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of how much shaking there is and how fast the plates are moving. The Richter scale used to be the most familiar way to describe the size of an earthquake, but scientists now use a more accurate physical measure, called the moment magnitude. The larger the number, the more intense the earthquake.
If you’re indoors during an earthquake, drop down to the floor and get under something sturdy like a table. Practice this “drop, cover and hold on” strategy so it will be automatic in an emergency. If possible, stay in place instead of running outside or into a doorway (door frames are not strong enough to protect you).
If you must leave a building, use the stairs instead of elevators (which may be damaged) and keep children and elderly people close. Make sure you have emergency supplies and an escape route, and know how to turn off utilities if necessary.