Shake Smart: Being Earthquake-Ready Outdoors

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Oct. 17, 2024

In California, earthquakes can happen at any time. In Santa Clara County, all residents live within a 10-mile radius of the San Andreas, Calaveras, and Hayward fault lines. This means being earthquake-ready is essential, whether you’re at home, at work or out on a hike.

Whether you're exploring a somewhere new, or hiking at your favorite open space preserve, here are six safety tips to keep in mind in earthquake country.

An Open Space Technician chats on the trail with a hiker who has hiking sticks. A biker wearing green is approaching them

1. Come prepared

Keep disaster supplies in your vehicle, and any medical needs on you. Pollen levels may rise significantly after an earthquake due to trees getting dislodged, so if you have asthma, make sure your medicines are well within reach. If you're not sure what to include in your disaster kit, learn more about earthquake preparedness at www.PrepareSCC.org/Earthquake

Two people in front of a table looking at a volunteer wearing a hat and an orange vest who is pointing at a map.

2. Orient yourself

Knowing where you are and where you’re going can help you make good decisions and avoid hazards on the trail and on the road when on your way or leaving your outdoor destination.

Picnic benches under an oak tree at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve

3. Be aware of your surroundings

If you can, get away from any rocky formations, or cliffs during an earthquake. Always keep an eye out for potential hazards, such as boulders, which could fall and injure you.

4. If you can, drop, cover, and hold on underneath a picnic table

If you can’t, move away from trees where dead branches can fall and look for open spaces or places with lower altitudes to drop and cover your neck with your arm and hand. Once you are in an open space, stay on your knees to avoid falling, and remain there until the earth stops shaking. For people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or who are unable to drop to the ground and get up again without assistance, check out www.EarthquakeCountry.org/accessibility

5. Avoid traveling up steep inclines after an earthquake

Landslides tend to move towards the center of an incline as dirt and debris move downhill.

6. Remain calm

Aftershocks may follow the initial quake—stay alert and avoid unstable terrain.

If you do get caught under debris, staying calm may help save your life. Avoid erratic movements that may cause you to kick up or inhale dust, and if possible, cover your mouth to avoid breathing in unwanted debris. Avoid screaming and shouting to reduce exertion, and instead use an emergency whistle to alert others to your location.

Preparedness starts with awareness—share these tips with fellow outdoor enthusiasts and explore more resources to stay safe in earthquake country.

If you’re a Santa Clara resident, you can also prepare by signing up for AlertSCC, the County of Santa Clara’s official emergency alert and warning system. When an earthquake strikes, you will receive an alert on your home phone, cell phone, and email. For more information, visit www.AlertSCC.org.

And if you’re not a Santa Clara County resident, consider signing up for Earthquake Warning California, the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system.

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