Photograph courtesy of www.app1.fema.gov

Earthquakes are a series of vibrations induced in the earth's crust by the abruption or rupture and rebound of rocks, in which elastic strain has been slowly accumulating.

Earthquakes can be caused by many different things. The most common way for an earthquake to be formed, though, is because of the earth’s crust. An earthquake starts when the crust of the earth bends, which causes a lot of stress. When the stress becomes too much for the rocks, the rocks break into new positions, causing seismic waves. The seismic waves travel away from the rocks to the surface of the earth, which causes the earth to vibrate, forming an earthquake.

If you live in an area that is commonly affected by earthquakes it is important that you have a supplies kit ready for whenever a serious earthquake may happen. Below is a list of supplies that can be put into a survival kit.

·Water: one gallon per person for AT LEAST 3 days, a week is preferable
·First Aid Kit
·First Aid Handbook
·Canned and airtight packaged foods
·Non-electric can opener
·Portable radio with extra batteries
·Flashlight with extra batteries and bulb
·Essential medication and other specific tools for the needs of family members
·Fire Extinguisher
·Food, Water, leash, and cage, or other restraint for pets, as needed

Its also important to know what to do during an earthquake. Below are some safety tips to help you stay safe during an earthquake.

If you are indoors you should:
Stay inside. Move away from any big furniture that could fall on top of you and crush you, and stay away from windows that could shatter, spreading broken glass everywhere. Get under a desk, chair, or any other furniture that is closest to you that you can fit under, and that will protect you. Make sure your head, neck and spinal chord have complete protection. If no furniture is available, then hug an interior wall. Do not run anywhere, because you might trip and fall, and be crushed by heavy furniture. Do not come out of your protection until you are sure the earthquake is over.

If you are outside you should:
Go to a clear, open spot. Stay away from chimneys, trees, power lines, buildings, and anything else that can fall on you. Drop to the ground, or even better, lie in a nearby ditch.

If you are driving you should:
Stop, and get away from traffic as well as you can. Do not stop under bridges, trees, power lines, signs, or anything capable of falling and hurting you. Stay inside your car and put on your seatbelt. When the earthquake is over, before you start driving, check for cracks in the road and fallen rocks.

If you are in a mountainous area you should:
Be aware that cars, trees, loose rocks, and other debris could fall from above. Landslides could also be started because of earthquakes.