Guides
What to know after the ground moves
- 01What to do during an earthquakeDrop, Cover and Hold On, and what to do in bed, in a car, outdoors or on the coast. Steps from FEMA, the Red Cross and USGS.
- 02Magnitude vs intensity: why one earthquake feels different everywhereMagnitude measures the energy released at the source. Intensity measures the shaking where you are. Includes the Modified Mercalli scale and what each magnitude usually does.
- 03Why do earthquakes happen?Earthquakes release stress stored along faults. How plate tectonics, fault types and human activity cause them.
- 04Aftershocks and foreshocks: what to expect after an earthquakeWhy smaller earthquakes follow a big one, how long they last, and why a foreshock is only recognised in hindsight.
- 05Can earthquakes be predicted?Why scientists can forecast probabilities but cannot predict the time, place and size of an earthquake.
- 06Earthquake preparedness checklistA practical checklist: secure your space, build a kit, make a plan and turn on earthquake alerts on your phone.