Earthquake preparedness

Earthquake preparedness is the planning and action taken before earthquakes to reduce injuries, property damage, and disruption, and to enable an effective response.

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Drop, Cover, and Hold On: A protective action during an earthquake: drop to hands and knees, cover the head and neck, and hold on to shelter. Preparedness teaches this immediate response before shaking begins.
Seismic hazard: The potential for earthquake shaking or related effects to occur at a location. Preparedness starts by identifying the earthquake threats a place may face.
Earthquake: A sudden release of energy in Earth's crust that produces seismic waves and ground shaking. Preparedness is designed around the shaking and secondary hazards earthquakes produce.
Earthquake response: Actions taken during and immediately after an earthquake to protect life, provide assistance, and stabilize conditions. Preparedness occurs before shaking; response begins when the event happens.
Emergency supply kit: A stored collection of essential supplies for use during emergencies and service disruptions. Supplies help households manage when earthquakes interrupt water, power, or access to shops.
Seismic risk: The expected harm from earthquakes, shaped by hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Risk assessment helps prioritize preparedness where consequences are greatest.
Earthquake hazard map: A map showing the expected distribution or intensity of earthquake-related hazards across an area. Hazard maps inform location-specific planning and building decisions.
Disaster recovery: The process of restoring communities, services, and livelihoods after a disaster. Recovery addresses long-term restoration, while preparedness aims to reduce losses beforehand.
Family emergency communication plan: An agreed plan for how household members contact one another and reunite during an emergency. Earthquakes can separate household members and disable ordinary communication routes.
Ground motion: The movement of the ground during an earthquake, described by measures such as acceleration, velocity, and displacement. Ground motion determines the forces buildings and people must withstand.