An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates

seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known as a

seismograph. The moment magnitude of an earthquake is conventionally reported, with
magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly imperceptible and magnitude 7 causing
serious damage over large areas. Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified
Mercalli scale.

At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes

displacing the ground. When a large earthquake epicenter is located offshore, the seabed
sometimes suffers sufficient displacement to cause a tsunami. The shaking in earthquakes
can also trigger landslides and occasionally volcanic activity.

What to Do During an Earthquake

• If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a
doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from
windows and outside doors.
• If you're outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might
fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building
could fall on you). .
• If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops.
• Don't use elevators (they'll probably get stuck anyway).

What to Do After an Earthquake

• Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who needs it.
• Turn on the radio. Don't use the phone unless it's an emergency.
• Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep
from cutting your feet.
• Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground
has stopped shaking.
• Stay away from damaged areas.
• If you're at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the
person in charge.
• Expect aftershocks.

The 1960 Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean earthquake of 22 May 1960 is to date
the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, rating 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale.
It occurred in the afternoon and its resulting tsunami affected southern Chile, Hawaii,
Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, southeast Australia, and the Aleutian
Islands in Alaska.
The 1985 Mexico City earthquake, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake that struck Mexico on
19 September 1985 at 7:19 local time, caused the deaths of about 10,000 people and
serious damage in the nation's capital. The complete seismic event consisted of four
quakes. A pre-event quake of magnitude 5.2 occurred on 28 May 1985. The main and
most powerful shock occurred 19 September, followed by two aftershocks: one on
20 September 1985 of magnitude 7.5 and the fourth occurring seven months later on
30 April 1986 of magnitude 7.0. The quakes were located off the Mexican Pacific coast,
more than 350 km away, but due to strength of the quake and the fact that Mexico City
sits on an old lakebed, Mexico City suffered major damage. The event caused between
three and four billion USD in damage as 412 buildings collapsed and another 3,124 were
seriously damaged in the city. While the number is in dispute, the most-often cited
number of deaths is about an estimated 10,000 people.[1]