What is an earthquake?

What to do during an earthquake?

• I'm from Maryland and earlier today, there was an earthquake here. I was asleep while it happened, but when my parents told me when I woke up, I got scared. I've never experienced an earthquake before cause we don't really get them here in Maryland. Anyway, what do you do during an earthquake just in case it happens again, or if I'm in some sort of situation like that? What do I do when I'm at home, outside, in the car, in a building, etc? Sorry for all the questions, I just wanna be prepared ahha. Thanks! :)

• Answer:

  Wait for things to stop shaking! There's nothing you can do. that's the frustrating thing - you feel helpless. They used to stay you should stand in a door frame but that's silly. That won't help and if something falls down around you, so will that doorframe. But after the rockin' and rollin' stops, check for broken stuff like glass since you don't want to walk on it. Don't run outside. If something like power lines fall you could have something fall on you. Sorry if I sound callous but those that are whining about a 5.8 quake sound like babies. There is a HUGE difference between this quake and even a 6.0. You had minimal damage, if any. Did buildings collapse? Did people die? Talk to the homeless people that lost everything in Japan & Australia! Our 6.8 Northridge quake quake caused us $30,000 of damage. I think I have a reason to complain about the cry babies on the east coast!