Earthquakes: precautions and behaviour

In short: Earthquakes occur when tensions in the Earth’s crust are discharged suddenly. Those who live in or travel to hazardous regions should know the correct behaviour.

In more detail: Most earthquakes occur at the edges of the tectonic plates (plattentektonik, erdbeben-und-vulkane).

In detail

• Magnitude: Measures the energy released; the Richter scale is a well-known example.
• Indoors: “Drop, cover, hold on”: under a sturdy table or at a load-bearing inner wall, stay away from windows.
• Do not run: Do not use stairs or lifts.
• Outdoors: Keep away from buildings, power poles and trees, find an open area.
• In a car: Stop, stay in the vehicle, not on bridges or under overpasses.
• After the quake: Expect aftershocks, watch for gas and water pipe damage, help the injured (erste-hilfe-grundlagen).
• Tsunami: After strong coastal quakes go immediately inland or to high ground.
• Travel: Know emergency numbers and escape routes of the accommodation (notfall-im-ausland).