Seismic Shifts: 2025’s Most Earthquake-Vulnerable Counties

What are 3 misconceptions about earthquakes?

“Earthquake prediction.” At present, there is a misconception that seismologists see signals of a coming earthquake.

Unfortunately, there are no such signals that seismologists have recognized, and for this reason there is no scientifically credible method for predicting earthquakes before they occur. Many earthquake prediction methods have been proposed, but to date none has proven to be effective in predicting when and where strong earthquakes will take place. Seismologists receive no recognized signals from the earth to indicate that a strong earthquake is impending.

Note: In Japan, California, the Pacific Northwest and some other places, there are Earthquake Early Warning Systems (EEWS) that are in operation. An EEWS relies on seismic stations scattered throughout an earthquake-prone region to monitor for signals that a nearby strong earthquake has just occurred. When a strong earthquake is detected, the EEWS sends out an alert to regions surrounding the earthquake epicenter. An EEWS relies on the fact that seismic waves move much slower than radio signals, and thus the seismologists can send warnings of a few seconds to a few tens of seconds to surrounding areas to expect the coming earthquake ground shaking. These are not earthquake prediction systems because they are activated only within a couple seconds after a strong earthquake has started to occur. Most parts of the world do not have EEWS capabilities.

“Earthquake magnitude is the only thing that is important to know about earthquake damage.” This is a misconception because most people think that if one knows the magnitude of an earthquake, one can know how much damage will take place in a locality.

However, damage to structures is caused by earthquake ground shaking, along with secondary effects such as landslides and tsunamis. The earthquake shaking is strongest at and along the section of fault on which an earthquake slip takes place, and it diminishes in intensity with distance away from the section of fault with earthquake slip.

Population centers that are far from an earthquake fault will feel weaker ground shaking than do population centers near the fault. An earthquake of high magnitude might cause catastrophic damage to cities and towns near the fault, but little or no damage to cities and towns far from the fault.

Products such as the ShakeMaps produced by the U.S. Geological Survey immediately following strong earthquakes can show where the earthquake shaking was damaging and where it was not damaging. Thus, one must be aware not only of the magnitude of an earthquake but also the earthquake location relative to a population center before assessing the potential for damage at that population center.

“All structures are destroyed in the strong ground shaking from a major earthquake.” Time and time again, surveys by engineers of cities affected by strong earthquakes show that not every building is destroyed or damaged, and in fact some buildings may sustain little or no damage at all.

This is because different kinds of buildings, in terms of how they are designed, the materials with which they are built, and their condition at the time of the earthquake, resist earthquake shaking differently.

Engineers know how to design and construct buildings that can receive insignificant or no damage in even the strongest expected earthquake shaking. They also know which kinds of buildings are prone to being damaged by earthquake shaking.

Buildings made of mud adobe bricks or of clay bricks with old mortar and no reinforcement of the walls tend to sustain damage in even moderate earthquake ground shaking. Wood-frame buildings tend to withstand earthquake shaking well (unless the supporting studs are weakened by damage due to water, termites, or other such causes). Oftentimes, a brick chimney attached to a wood-frame house might suffer damage even if the house itself is not damaged by the earthquake shaking. Structures built on soft soils such as landfill, river beds, sand, etc., tend to experience stronger earthquake ground shaking than nearby buildings built on bedrock.

For this reason, some sections of a town or city might experience major earthquake damage whereas other sections of the same town or city might experience only minor damage or even no damage at all.

What is the safest course of action to take when an earthquake hits?

People are hurt or killed in earthquakes when heavy objects fall on them. Thus, the cardinal rule of safety in an earthquake is to get away from places where heavy objects might fall.

• If outdoors, stay away from buildings, power lines, and other structures (both manmade and natural) where pieces might be shaking off from above.

• If inside a building, one should seek safety under a table or desk and should get away from windows to avoid flying glass from broken windows. If inside a building, it is often not best to run outside during earthquake shaking. Objects on the outside of a building (such as bricks from a chimney or decorations on the outside of the building) could fall and pose a hazard.
• If inside a building and there is no safe place to go, the best thing is to duck, cover, and hold in a part of the room where nothing can fall from above.

It is also important to note that there are some important safety measures to pay attention to immediately following a strong earthquake.

• Gas leaks can have the potential to cause fires, and so any evidence of a natural gas leak means that no electrical devices (especially light switches) or other ignition sources should be used. Also, if there is a gas leak, the natural gas should be shut off until a proper inspection by a professional can take place.
• Strong aftershocks can occur even within seconds or minutes of the end of the strong earthquake shaking, and thus any search and rescue efforts must be aware of this possibility.
• Downed power lines must be avoided in case they are live.

Who is most at risk for financial and emotional distress from earthquakes?

Financial risk. There are many different kinds of answers to this question, and I highlight just a few here.

• On a personal level, one might lose financial instruments such as cash, credit cards, and checks in the debris when major earthquake damage occurs.
• Automobiles might be damaged to the point where they cannot be used. Such losses might pose immediate stress following the earthquake.
• Other tangible assets such as furniture, appliances, household goods, artwork, etc., might be damaged or destroyed in severe earthquake damage.
• For businesses, the major consideration is whether or not it is possible to run the business following the earthquake. For example, if the building housing the business is damaged enough that it cannot be used following the earthquake, then the business will likely be shut down for some period of time. A damaging earthquake in an area necessarily works to the detriment of some businesses but can be a boon to others.

What are the three best resources for disaster relief?

In the minutes and hours immediately following a strong earthquake that causes major damage, outside help is typically unavailable. Studies of past earthquakes have shown that local citizens usually self-organize to provide whatever disaster relief that they can. They engage in search-and-rescue operations, they fight fires, and they figure out how to provide shelter for the local population. They provide whatever medical assistance that they can.

A knowledgeable and organized local population can be surprisingly effective at providing some measure of immediate disaster relief.

During the first few hours and days following a strong, damaging earthquake, emergency relief efforts must be led by local government organizations such as police, fire, emergency management, etc. In most parts of the U.S. that are earthquake-prone, emergency management agencies have trained for a possible earthquake disaster, which means that they have relief plans that they can follow. Among other activities, it is their job to communicate to the affected population how to make use of disaster relief resources.

Within a couple to a few days following a strong, damaging earthquake, federal and other disaster relief organizations will be on the ground in the affected area. In the U.S., the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has the primary responsibility for immediate disaster relief. They can bring in emergency shelters, arrange water and food deliveries, coordinate emergency medical care, and assist with search and rescue operations. FEMA coordinates with local and state agencies as necessary, Private organizations, such as the Red Cross, will also arrive to provide disaster-relief resources.

What are the three best ways to help those impacted by an earthquake?

• For those who live within the area damaged by an earthquake, coordinating relief activities with neighbors is the most important action to take immediately following the occurrence of a strong, damaging earthquake.
• The needs of the local population will depend on how much and what kind of damage was caused by the earthquake. It will also depend on the time of year and the weather at the time of the earthquake. The needs of a local population are quite different if an earthquake occurs at night during a cold winter blizzard compared to if the earthquake occurs during a warm, bright summer’s day. It might take as many as a few days before the first outside help can arrive on the scene of earthquake damage.

• For those who live near an area affected by a strong, damaging earthquake, it is important to coordinate as much as possible with local officials to provide the necessary assistance to those affected by a strong earthquake. It is important to get help to the areas most impacted by the earthquake, but too many resources in one damaged area and not enough in another damaged area can create stress in both areas, negatively impacting relief efforts.

• For those who live nowhere near the area affected by a strong, damaging earthquake, the best way to help is to donate money to disaster relief agencies.Agencies such as the Red Cross expend significant money and resources responding to major disasters, and their ability to continue that response as well as to prepare for the next disaster depends on the generosity of those who donate to such organizations. Those who have special skills, such as doctors, nurses, building inspectors, heavy equipment operators, etc. may be asked to come and help out in the disaster area.

What are 3 misconceptions about earthquakes?

Understanding earthquakes involves dispelling several misconceptions that can lead to confusion and unsafe practices. Below are three important and common myths about earthquakes, along with the facts that counter them.

Earthquakes Only Happen in Certain Areas

Many people believe that earthquakes only occur along tectonic plate boundaries, and particularly in specific regions, such as California or Japan. While it is true that certain areas of the world have more frequent occurrences of earthquakes (e.g., the Pacific Ring of Fire), the reality is that earthquakes can occur anywhere in the world. They can occur along plate boundaries as well as within the tectonic plates themselves.

The U.S. Geological Survey indicates that all 50 states and five U.S. territories are at some risk for seismic activity, with significant events recorded even in areas not typically associated with earthquakes, such as Virginia in 2011

You Should Stand in a Doorway During an Earthquake

A prevalent myth is that standing in a doorway is the safest place during an earthquake. However, experts have widely debunked this myth. This advice is outdated and mainly came about as in the past, doorways were considered as one of the strongest parts of a building’s structure, and thought to offer greater protection from earthquakes.

Modern buildings, however, are designed to be structurally sound throughout, making doorways no safer than other areas of a building. If you are in a building when an earthquake occurs, the most important safety tip is to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” under sturdy furniture to protect against falling debris.

Aftershocks Are Always Less Dangerous

Many people falsely assume that aftershocks following an earthquake are less severe and therefore less dangerous. While most aftershocks may be smaller than the initial impact and shaking, they are no less destructive, and can cause additional damage to already weakened structures. For example, the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey was made significantly worse due to the numerous aftershocks, which exacerbated the devastation caused by the initial quakes. The main earthquakes registered magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5, however, the region experienced over 30,000 aftershocks within three months. These aftershocks resulted in additional fatalities and injuries and caused further structural collapses.

What is the safest course of action to take when an earthquake hits?

Steps should be taken BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER an earthquake event.

Before an Earthquake

The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it occurs.

Create a family emergency plan. Your family members may not all be together when an earthquake occurs, and so the best course of action is to create a plan. Important questions to begin asking are:

1. Where will my family and I take shelter?
2. How will we evacuate safely?
3. How will we communicate with each other during and after the chaos?
4. Does my family have an emergency preparedness kit?

Protect your home. You and your family should consider improving and fixing any structural weaknesses or issues that could cause your building to collapse during an earthquake. You should also consider obtaining property, life, and health insurance if you have not already done so. For greater peace of mind, it is best if your insurance policy covers all possible hazards.

During an Earthquake

When an earthquake strikes, immediate and appropriate action is crucial for ensuring personal safety. Here are the recommended steps to take during an earthquake:

1. Drop, Cover, and Hold On

• Drop: Get down on your hands and knees to prevent being knocked over.
• Cover: Seek shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a table or desk. If no shelter is available, cover your head and neck with your arms while crouching against an interior wall away from windows.
• Hold On: Stay in your position until the shaking stops. If you are under furniture, hold on to it to maintain your protection as it may move during the shaking.

2. If You Are Indoors

Remain inside and avoid running outside, as many injuries occur when people try to exit buildings during the shaking. Stay away from windows, heavy furniture, and anything that could fall.

3. If You Are Outdoors

Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires that could collapse or fall. Crouch down and cover your head until the shaking stops.

4. If You Are in a Vehicle

Pull over to a clear area away from overpasses, bridges, trees, and power lines. Keep your seatbelt fastened and remain in the vehicle until the shaking stops.

Staying Safe After the Shaking Stops

• Be prepared for aftershocks; they can occur minutes to days after the initial quake. Follow the same “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” procedure if you feel them.
• Once safe, check for injuries among yourself and those around you before evacuating if necessary. Avoid entering damaged buildings.
• Check gas, water and electric lines for damage. If damaged, shut off the valves.
• Turn on the radio to check for up-to-date information from your state, FEMA, and local emergency managers.

By following these guidelines, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of injury during an earthquake. Regular practice of these procedures can help ensure that everyone knows how to respond quickly and effectively when an earthquake occurs.

Who is most at risk for financial and emotional distress from earthquakes?

Individuals and communities most at risk for financial and emotional distress from earthquakes include:

Low-Income Households

Many low-income families are often the most vulnerable, as they live in substandard housing that may not meet safety regulations. This increases the likelihood of severe damage or collapse during an earthquake. After the quake, these households face significant challenges in accessing resources for recovery, which exacerbates their financial strain.

Small Business Owners

Small businesses frequently suffer disproportionately from the impact of an earthquake. Many lack adequate insurance or financial reserves to withstand the economic shock caused by earthquakes. The financial constraints faced by small businesses can lead to bankruptcies, further impacting local economies.

Individuals with Pre-Existing Mental Health Issues

People with existing mental health conditions are particularly susceptible to the emotional distress caused by earthquakes. The trauma of experiencing a traumatic event such as an earthquake can exacerbate these issues, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies indicate that survivors continue to grapple with significant mental health challenges long after the event, highlighting the need for ongoing psychological support.

Women and Marginalized Groups

Women often bear a disproportionate burden during and after disasters due to existing societal inequalities. In earthquake-affected regions, women may face increased domestic responsibilities, health challenges, and economic hardships as they navigate recovery efforts. Reports indicate that many women in Turkey are now earning below the national minimum wage due to the economic fallout from the earthquakes, further entrenching gender disparities.

What are the three best resources for disaster relief?

While there are a multitude of resources online, I would recommend visiting these trusted sites:

1. Ready.gov: Ready is a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
2. FEMA – National Preparedness: FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency responsible for coordinating the federal government’s capacity to assist the American public before, during, and after disasters.
3. Your local state emergency management agency. Information to find your local emergency management agency can be found at usa.gov.

What are the three best ways to help those impacted by an earthquake?

Provide Financial & Logistical Support

Donating to reputable organizations involved in disaster relief can significantly aid recovery efforts. Contributions can help fund immediate necessities such as food, water, and medical care, as well as long-term rebuilding initiatives. Logistical support could include help with finding temporary and safe alternative housing and locations where survivors can get hot meals and medical assistance.

Organizations like the Red Cross often mobilize quickly to provide essential services and support to affected communities.

Volunteer Your Time and Skills

Engaging in volunteer efforts can make a meaningful difference. This can include participating in local relief efforts, helping with cleanup, and recovery operations, or providing professional skills such as counseling, medical assistance, or construction expertise.

Help Raise Awareness and Advocate for Preparedness

Educating your community about earthquake preparedness is crucial for minimizing future risks. Communities and households should work to organize workshops or informational sessions that focus on creating emergency plans, assembling disaster supply kits, and understanding safety protocols during an earthquake. Advocating for better building codes and infrastructure improvements can also help ensure that communities are better equipped to withstand future seismic events.

By combining financial support, volunteer efforts, and community education, individuals can play a vital role in helping those affected by earthquakes recover and rebuild their lives.