Earthquake Emergency Kit
Definition
A pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio.
Example
FEMA recommends every household maintain a 72-hour emergency kit at all times.
Related Terms
Related Guides
What Is an Earthquake? A Complete Introduction
Learn what causes earthquakes, how they occur along fault lines, and why some regions experience more seismic activity than others.
Earthquake Swarms: When Small Quakes Won't Stop
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The Big One in California: Separating Fact from Fiction
California's Big One is real science, not science fiction. Learn what seismologists actually predict and how California is preparing.
Moon Phases and Earthquakes: Is There a Connection?
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The Complete Earthquake Preparedness Checklist
A comprehensive, step-by-step earthquake preparedness checklist covering supplies, home safety, communication plans, and financial protection.
Building Your Earthquake Emergency Kit
Build a complete earthquake emergency kit with our detailed guide. Covers water, food, first aid, tools, and special needs for families.
After the Earthquake: Your First 72 Hours
The first 72 hours after an earthquake are critical. Learn the step-by-step actions for safety, communication, shelter, and recovery.
Earthquake Preparedness for Families with Children
Help your children prepare for earthquakes with age-appropriate education, practice drills, and a family-specific emergency plan.
Earthquake Preparedness for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Earthquake preparedness for seniors and people with disabilities requires special planning for mobility, medications, and communication needs.
Pet Safety During Earthquakes
Protect your pets during earthquakes with proper preparation, safe containment, and a pet-specific emergency kit with supplies for 72+ hours.
Related Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
The epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter (focus) where the earthquake rupture begins. It is typically reported as latitude and longitude coordinates. The strongest shaking usually occurs near the epicenter, though local soil conditions and fault geometry can shift the zone of maximum damage.
A seismograph (or seismometer) is an instrument that detects and records ground motion caused by seismic waves. Modern broadband seismometers can detect movements smaller than the width of an atom. Networks of seismographs around the world enable scientists to locate earthquakes and determine their magnitude within minutes.
P-waves (primary waves) are compressional waves that travel fastest through rock, arriving first at seismic stations. S-waves (secondary waves) are shear waves that arrive later but cause more ground shaking. P-waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases; S-waves only travel through solids. The time difference between them helps determine earthquake distance.
The hypocenter (or focus) is the point within the Earth where an earthquake rupture initiates. It is described by latitude, longitude, and depth. The vertical distance between the hypocenter and the surface directly above is the earthquake's depth, which strongly influences how the earthquake is felt at the surface.
Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth. It encompasses earthquake detection, location, and characterization; Earth's internal structure; seismic hazard assessment; and earthquake engineering. Seismologists use data from global seismograph networks to study these phenomena.