What does an earthquake feel like?
The way an earthquake feels depends on where you are, where the earthquake is, and how big the earthquake is:
-
A large earthquake nearby will feel like a sudden large jolt followed quickly by more strong shaking that may last a few seconds or up to a couple of minutes if it's a rare great event. The shaking will feel violent and it will be difficult to stand up. The contents of your house will be a mess.
-
A large earthquake far away will feel like a gentle bump followed several seconds later by stronger rolling shaking that may feel like sharp shaking for a little while.
-
A small earthquake nearby will feel like a small sharp jolt followed by a few stronger sharp shakes that pass quickly.
-
A small earthquake far away will probably not be felt at all, but if you do feel it, it will be a subtle gentle shake or two that is easier to feel if you're still and sitting down.
The type of crustal material the seismic waves travel through on their way to you, and the type of shallow crustal structure that is directly below you will also influence the shaking you feel. Soft thick sediments will amplify the shaking and hard rock will not. If the energy happens to bounce around and get focused on where you are, that will also amplify the shaking. Low-level vibrations that last for more than a few seconds is not indicative of an earthquake, but is more likely a man-made environmental source.
Related Content
How does the USGS tell the difference between an earthquake and a sonic boom?
What are earthquake lights?
Can you feel an earthquake if you're in a cave? Is it safer to be in a cave during an earthquake?
What is liquefaction?
Where can I find photographs of earthquake damage?
Why do earthquakes in other countries seem to cause more damage and casualties than earthquakes in the U.S.?
How can an earthquake affect groundwater or changes in wells?
What are those booms I sometimes hear before or during an earthquake?
At what magnitude does damage begin to occur in an earthquake?
Shaking intensity from injection-induced versus tectonic earthquakes in the central-eastern United States
Although instrumental recordings of earthquakes in the central and eastern United States (CEUS) remain sparse, the U. S. Geological Survey's “Did you feel it?” (DYFI) system now provides excellent characterization of shaking intensities caused by induced and tectonic earthquakes. Seventeen CEUS events are considered between 2013 and 2015. It is...
Hough, Susan E.
The ShakeOut Scenario
This is the initial publication of the results of a cooperative project to examine the implications of a major earthquake in southern California. The study comprised eight counties: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. Its results will be used as the basis of an emergency response and preparedness...
Jones, Lucile M.; Bernknopf, Richard; Cox, Dale; Goltz, James; Hudnut, Kenneth; Mileti, Dennis; Perry, Suzanne; Ponti, Daniel; Porter, Keith; Reichle, Michael; Seligson, Hope; Shoaf, Kimberley; Treiman, Jerry; Wein, Anne
Did you feel it? : citizens contribute to earthquake science
Since the early 1990s, the magnitude and location of an earthquake have been available within minutes on the Internet. Now, as a result of work by the U.S. Geological Survey and with the cooperation of various regional seismic networks, people who experience an earthquake can go online and share information about its effects to help create a map...
Wald, David J.; Dewey, James W. The dependence of PGA and PGV on distance and magnitude inferred from Northern California ShakeMap data
We analyze peak ground velocity (PGV) and peak ground acceleration (PGA) data from 95 moderate (3.5 ??? M < 5.5) and 9 large (5.5 ??? M ??? 7.1) earthquakes in northern California. The 95 moderate earthquakes occurred from August 1998 through December 2002, and their peak motions were compiled and mapped by ShakeMap. The nine large earthquakes...
Boatwright, J.; Bundock, H.; Luetgert, J.; Seekins, L.; Gee, L.; Lombard, P.
Earthquake Shaking - Finding the "Hot Spots"
A new Southern California Earthquake Center study has quantified how local geologic conditions affect the shaking experienced in an earthquake. The important geologic factors at a site are softness of the rock or soil near the surface and thickness of the sediments above hard bedrock. Even when these 'site effects' are taken into account, however...
Field, Edward H.; Jones, Lucile; Jordan, Tom; Benthien, Mark; Wald, Lisa
East vs West Coast Earthquakes
Why was an earthquake in Virginia felt at more than twice the distance than a similar-sized earthquake in California? The answer is one that many people may not realize. Earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains can cause noticeable ground shaking at much farther distances than comparably-sized earthquakes in the West.
Induced Earthquakes Raise Chances of Damaging Shaking in 2016
For the first time, new USGS maps identify the potential for ground shaking from both human-induced and natural earthquakes in 2016.
"Living in Earthquake Country: Los Angeles and the Big One" - Dr. Lucy Jones presentation at LA Natural History Museum
"Living in Earthquake Country: Los Angeles and the Big One" - Dr. Lucy Jones presentation at LA Natural History Museum
Haiti Earthquake Shaking Amplified by Local Landforms
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The severe damage and loss-of-life caused by the devastating January 2010 M7.0 earthquake in Haiti was exacerbated by amplification of shaking due to local geological conditions and landforms in Port-au-Prince, according to a study published online today in Nature Geoscience.
New Map of Daily Probability of Earthquake Shaking in California
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today the release of new public web pages that show the probability of earthquake shaking in the next 24 hours in California. These maps graphically illustrate the change in earthquake probability during aftershock and possible foreshock sequences.
Earthquake Shaking - Find the 'Hotspots'
In conjunction with the seventh anniversary of the 1994, 6.7 Northridge earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), has produced a two-page fact sheet that explains how geologic conditions in the Los Angeles basin affect the amount of shaking experienced by various areas of the basin.
PubTalk 1/2018 — ShakeAlert: Path to West Coast EQ Early Warning
Title: ShakeAlert: The Path to West Coast Earthquake Early Warning ... how a few seconds can save lives and property
- The ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system will begin limited operations this year.
- Alerts could save lives and properties but several challenges remain.
- With millions at risk, why isn't full public alerting happening yet?
Damage from South Napa Earthquake
Damaged unreinforced masonry building on Main Street in downtown Napa, California. Photograph credit: Erol Kalkan, USGS
2014 South Napa Earthquake in California
Pavement buckling and tented sidewalk resulting from the South Napa Earthquake. Photograph credit: Thomas Holzer, USGS
Shaking of Frontier Building — Anchorage, Alaska, During Mw7.1 Earthquake, January 24, 2016
This video presents a visualization of shaking that was recorded in the Frontier Building in Anchorage, Alaska, during the Mw7.1 earthquake, January 24, 2016, Iniskin, Alaska. It exhibits how a tall building behaves and performs during strong earthquake shaking. Note that relative to the height of the building, the motions are magnified by a factor of 300 to show
...
Shaking in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska
This video presents a visualization of how the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska, shook during the M7.1 January 24, 2016, Iniskin, Alaska, earthquake. The building was instrumented by U.S. Geological Survey to obtain data to study its behavior and performance during strong shaking. Such data is useful to make decisions for improving the building's performance.
...
HayWired Scenario ShakeMap
ShakeMap showing intensity of shaking for the HayWired Scenario.
See: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/global/shake/haywiredm7....
PubTalk 8/2014 — Ground Shaking in '89 Loma Prieta Quake: 25 yrs later
by Brad Aagaard, USGS Research Geophysicist
- What factors controlled the variability in ground shaking in the earthquake?
- Will the ground shaking in future earthquakes display similar patterns?
- Hear about the advances made in recording ground shaking over the past 25 years.
- Learn how USGS uses this information
A map of ShakeOut scenario shaking in southern California
A map of ShakeOut scenario shaking in southern California.
1964 Alaskan Earthquake Damage
Damage from the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. Credit: USGS