Do you live on a fault line? Check this U.S. Geological Survey interactive map to view the latest seismic hazards.

Since the earthquake happened right outside Los Angeles, lots of broadcast cameras were rolling.

Did you notice how many people were caught just standing around? Some of them even saying, “What do we do?”

There are good answers to that question:

• DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place (as described above). Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

We have lots of tips about what to do in a disaster, but we’d also like to point you to Unthinkable author Amanda Ripley’s tips about how to survive a disaster.

>> Listen to Amanda discuss strategies with actual disaster survivors on NPR’s Talk of the Nation from 7/29/08

Filed under: Disaster Response, Mapping