Articles · Earth and Geological
Everything about Earthquake
9 articles across NWS
Sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement along faults. Earthquake risk is highest in the western U.S. but significant zones exist in the central and eastern states.
Disaster History
Case studies and disaster history
Alaska 1964: The M9.2 Good Friday Earthquake and the Subduction Zone That Is Still Coming
On Good Friday, March 27, 1964, a M9.2 megathrust earthquake - the largest ever recorded in North America - shook Alaska for over four minutes. 131 people died; only 9 from ground shaking. The rest di
Christchurch 2011: The M6.3 Aftershock That Killed 185 People - Why the Second Earthquake Is Sometimes Deadlier
On September 4, 2010, a M7.1 earthquake struck near Christchurch, New Zealand. It caused massive damage - and killed no one. Eighteen months later, on February 22, 2011, a M6.3 aftershock struck at lu
Haiti 2010: A M7.0 Earthquake Killed 160,000 People - While the Same Magnitude Killed 63 in California
On January 12, 2010, a M7.0 earthquake struck 16 miles from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The death toll: between 100,000 and 160,000 people killed - the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century. The 1
Loma Prieta 1989: 42 of 63 Deaths on One Freeway - and the World Series That Accidentally Saved Lives
At 5:04 PM on October 17, 1989, a M6.9 earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area during Game 3 of the World Series. 42 of the 63 deaths happened in one place: the Cypress Street Viaduct, a double-d
1906 San Francisco Earthquake: What Really Destroyed the City & What It Still Teaches Us
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake killed 3,000+ people and destroyed 80% of the city. The earthquake didn't do most of the damage - the fire did. Learn why, and what every household should take from t
Getting Started
What to do right now
Preparedness
Preparedness and self-reliance
Utility Shutoffs
How to locate and operate gas, water, and electrical shutoffs before you need them in an emergency. Valve types, safety warnings, and the one thing to do this weekend.
Hazard-Specific Planning
Planning for the specific hazards that threaten your area. What distinguishes each hazard type, unique preparations, watch versus warning, and pre-decided action triggers.
Earthquake Preparedness at Home
Earthquake preparedness for households on the West Coast, in Alaska, and in the New Madrid zone. The first 60 seconds, what to secure, and the recovery week.