Earthquake Information

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere without warning, Nevada is the nation’s third-most seismically active state.

Earthquakes can:

  • Happen anywhere. Higher risk areas include California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Mississippi Valley.
  • Happen without warning.
  • Cause fires and damage roads.
  • Cause tsunamis, landslides and avalanches.

If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away. Drop, Cover and Hold On!

  • If you are in a vehicle, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
  • If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
  • If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
  • Do not get in a doorway.
  • Do not run outside.
  • Visit EarthquakeCountry.org/step5 for tips and videos on what to do in a variety of other situations.

Drop: Drop where you are, onto your hands and knees.

Cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris. Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs,

Hold On. If you are under a table or desk, hold onto with one hand and be ready to move with it if it moves. If you can’t find a table or desk: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands. If seated and unable to drop to the floor: bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and hold on to your neck with both hands.

If using a wheelchair or a walker with a seat:

Lock: Make sure your wheels are locked. Remain seated until the shaking stops.

Cover: Protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book, or whatever is available.

Hold on: maintain your position with head and neck covered until shaking stops.

Prepare Before an Earthquake

The best time to prepare for any disaster is before it happens.

  • Practice Drop, Cover, then Hold On with family and coworkers. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl under a sturdy table or desk if nearby. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. If a table or desk is not close, crawl next to an interior wall.
  • Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan where to meet if you get separated.  
  • Create a Disaster Supply Kit or GO bag for your household: Use this Emergency Supply Kit Checklist that includes enough food and water for at least three days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle.  Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.   
    • Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication and medical equipment. 
    • Do not forget the needs of pets and service animals.  
    • Being prepared allows you to avoid unnecessary excursions and to address minor medical issues at home, alleviating the burden on urgent care centers and hospitals. 
    • Remember that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities. For those who can afford it, make essential purchases and slowly build up supplies. 
    • Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage.
    • Consider making improvements to your building to fix structural issues that could cause your building to collapse during an earthquake. 
     
  • Protect Your Home: Secure items in your home such as bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
    • Consider making improvements to your building to fix structural issues that could cause your building to collapse during an earthquake.
    • Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage.
 

Staying Safe After an Earthquake

If an earthquake has just happened, there can be serious hazards such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines.

  • Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake.
  • Check yourself to see if you are hurt and help others if you have training. Learn how to be the Help Until Help Arrives (Link to: https://community.fema.gov/until-help-arrives)
  • If you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
  • Do not enter damaged buildings.
  • If you are trapped, protect your mouth, nose and eyes from dust. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so that rescuers can locate you.
  • If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
  • Text messages may be more reliable than phone calls. Save phone calls for emergencies.
  • Once you are safe, listen to local news reports via battery operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions. Be very careful during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes during clean-up.
  • Register on the Red Cross “Safe and Well” website so people will know you are okay: SafeAndWell.org.

Staying Safe After an Earthquake

If an earthquake has just happened, there can be serious hazards such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines.

  • Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.
  • Check yourself to see if you are hurt and help others if you have training. Learn how to be the help until help arrives.
    • If you are sick or injured and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for instructions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. 
  • If you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
  • Do not enter damaged buildings.
  • If you are trapped, protect your mouth, nose and eyes from dust with your shirt or jacket. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so that rescuers can locate you.
  • If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
  • Text messages may be more reliable than phone calls. Save phone calls for emergencies.
  • Once you are safe, listen to local news reports via battery operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions. Be very careful during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes during clean-up.
  • Register on the Red Cross “Safe and Well” website so people will know you are okay: SafeAndWell.org.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after holding on to commonly touched surfaces or objects. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops. Avoid contact with floodwaters as they can contain chemicals, sewage, and debris.
Once you are safe, pay attention to local news reports for emergency information and instructions via battery-operated radio, TV, social media or from cell phone text alerts.  
  • Register on the American Red Cross “Safe and Well” website so people will know you are okay.
  • Use text messages to communicate, which may be more reliable than phone calls.
  • Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. 
    • Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. 
    • Wear a mask and maintain a physical distance of at least six feet while working with someone else. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. 
    • People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.

Additional resources:

To learn more about earthquakes please review the links listed below.

Earthquake Videos

Nevada/Utah Earthquake Summit Presentations

Additional Earthquake Resources

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
775-784-6691     

Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library 
Tuesday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  
775-682-8766