Published: October 30, 2026 | Last updated: October 30, 2026
An earthquake is sudden ground shaking caused by the release of stored energy inside Earth. Most earthquakes happen when rocks move along a fault, which is a fracture in Earth's crust where blocks of rock can shift. This article explains earthquake causes, hazards, preparation, and safety actions (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
An earthquake happens when stored stress causes rocks to break or move, releasing energy as seismic waves. A fault is an underground fracture where blocks of rock can move. Tectonic plates are large pieces of Earth's outer shell that move slowly and may become locked by friction along faults. When stress overcomes that friction, the rocks shift (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
The underground point where the rupture begins is called the focus, or hypocenter. The epicenter is the point on Earth's surface directly above the focus. Shaking can vary with the earthquake's energy, depth, distance from the epicenter, and local soil conditions (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
Earthquakes can also result from volcanic activity, landslides, underground explosions, and some human activities, including fluid injection. Tectonic earthquakes remain the main focus of earthquake science and emergency planning (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
Earthquake damage depends on the strength and duration of shaking, distance from the rupture, building design, and ground conditions. Loose or water-saturated soil can lose strength during intense shaking in a process called liquefaction. Liquefaction can cause buildings, roads, and buried pipes to settle or shift (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
Seismic waves carry earthquake energy through the ground. Some waves travel through Earth's interior, while surface waves move along the ground and can produce rolling or side-to-side motion. A tray of water provides a simple comparison: movement at the bottom can make the surface move in several directions (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
An earthquake can create these hazards:
The United States Geological Survey explains earthquake hazards, monitoring, and seismic activity through its Earthquake Hazards Program (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
During an earthquake, drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. This action is called "drop, cover, and hold on" and is recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
If you are indoors, stay inside until the shaking ends. Do not run outside while objects are falling, and do not use an elevator. If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow unless a heavy object is directly above you (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
If you are outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, signs, and power lines. If you are driving, pull over in a safe place, stop the vehicle, and remain inside until the shaking ends. Avoid stopping beneath bridges, overpasses, or power lines (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
If you are near the coast and the earthquake is strong or lasts a long time, move inland or to higher ground after the shaking stops. Follow official tsunami warnings instead of waiting to see the water (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2026).
You can reduce earthquake injuries by securing heavy furniture, preparing emergency supplies, and practicing what to do during shaking. Preparation also helps households manage interruptions to power, water, roads, phone service, and emergency response after a major event (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
Use these preparation steps:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends securing household contents and preparing an emergency supply kit for earthquake readiness (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
After an earthquake, check for injuries, leave dangerous areas, and follow instructions from emergency officials. Expect aftershocks and avoid damaged buildings until qualified authorities say they are safe (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
Check yourself and nearby people for injuries. Give first aid when you can, but do not move someone with a serious injury unless remaining there creates immediate danger. Put out a small fire only when it is safe, and leave the building if you smell gas, see major damage, or hear unusual structural sounds (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
Wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet from broken glass and debris. Use text messages when possible to reduce pressure on phone networks. Do not touch fallen wires. Report them to the utility company or emergency services from a safe location (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
Use battery-powered alerts or official emergency channels for updates. Follow evacuation instructions if officials identify a fire, tsunami, chemical release, landslide, or unsafe structure in your area (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
The most dangerous earthquake safety mistakes include running outside during shaking, standing in a doorway, using an elevator, and returning to a damaged building. These actions can expose people to falling debris, broken glass, fire, or structural failure (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
Avoid these errors:
An earthquake usually happens when stress causes rocks to break or move along a fault. The movement releases energy that travels through the ground as seismic waves (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. Stay indoors if you are already inside, and move away from windows and objects that could fall (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
Scientists can identify areas with earthquake hazards and estimate long-term risk, but they cannot reliably predict the exact time, location, and size of a future earthquake. Monitoring systems can detect an earthquake after it begins and may provide limited warning in some areas (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
An aftershock is an earthquake that follows a larger earthquake in the same general area. Aftershocks can damage buildings weakened by the first earthquake, so people should continue following safety guidance (United States Geological Survey, 2026).
Yes. A large earthquake beneath or near the ocean can move the seafloor and displace water, creating a tsunami. Coastal residents should follow official evacuation warnings and move to higher ground when instructed (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2026).
Secure heavy furniture and appliances, move heavy items to low shelves, prepare emergency supplies, learn utility shutoff procedures, and practice drop, cover, and hold on with everyone in the household (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2026).
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