Earthquake California today: latest quakes, map and the past year

What to do when the ground shakes

Drop, cover and hold on. Get down on your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or against an inside wall, and hold on until the shaking stops. Do not run outside during shaking; most injuries come from falling objects and glass. In bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Driving, pull over away from bridges, overpasses and power lines and stay in the car.

After the shaking: expect aftershocks – most large earthquakes are followed by smaller ones for days or weeks, and a few by a larger one. Check for gas leaks and damage before going back inside. Near the coast, a long or strong earthquake is itself a natural tsunami warning: move to high ground at once without waiting for an official message.