What to Do During an Earthquake: Complete Safety Guide

Earthquakes strike without warning. Knowing the correct response for your situation can mean the difference between life and death. These recommendations are based on decades of research by structural engineers, emergency responders, and seismologists.

Indoors: Drop, Cover, Hold On

This is the universally recommended response for people inside buildings during an earthquake.

Drop to your hands and knees immediately. This prevents being knocked down and allows you to crawl to shelter.

Cover your head and neck under a sturdy desk or table. If no shelter is nearby, get next to an interior wall and cover your head with your arms. Stay away from windows, outside walls, and anything that could fall (bookcases, light fixtures, heavy appliances).

Hold On to your shelter until shaking stops. Be prepared to move with it.

Contrary to popular belief, do NOT stand in a doorway. In modern buildings, doorways are no stronger than other parts of the structure. Do NOT run outside during shaking — falling debris (glass, bricks, facades) causes most earthquake injuries.

Outdoors

Move to a clear area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop to the ground and stay there until shaking stops. If you are near tall buildings, get inside the nearest building to avoid falling glass and debris from the exterior.

In a Vehicle

Pull over to a clear area, away from overpasses, bridges, power lines, and tall buildings. Stop the car and engage the parking brake. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until shaking stops. After the shaking, proceed carefully, watching for road damage, downed power lines, and traffic signal failures.

Near the Coast

If you feel a strong earthquake near the coast, move to higher ground immediately. Do not wait for an official tsunami warning. Tsunami waves can arrive within minutes. If you see the ocean water receding unusually far, run inland immediately.

After the Shaking Stops

Check yourself and others for injuries. Apply first aid if trained. Check for gas leaks (smell for sulfur/rotten eggs) — if you suspect a leak, evacuate and do not use lighters or electrical switches. Check for structural damage, especially cracks in load-bearing walls. Be prepared for aftershocks, which can cause additional damage to weakened structures. Use text messages instead of phone calls to keep lines clear for emergency services.

Common Myths Debunked

The "triangle of life" theory (getting next to heavy objects rather than under furniture) has been repeatedly debunked by structural engineers and is not supported by any major emergency response organization. "Doorways are safest" is outdated advice from when homes had load-bearing door frames in unreinforced masonry. Modern buildings do not have this feature. Check our Shake Estimator to understand how magnitude and distance affect intensity.