{"id":35118,"date":"2023-10-13T09:55:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T16:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=35118"},"modified":"2023-11-21T09:50:23","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T17:50:23","slug":"how-to-prepare-your-home-for-an-earthquake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-an-earthquake\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare Your Home for an Earthquake: 16 Steps for Homeowners and Renters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earthquakes are destructive <\/span>natural disasters<\/span><\/a> that can strike without warning, disrupting lives and devastating communities. Thousands of tiny earthquakes occur every day across the U.S., but every once in a while, a large one strikes, leaving unprepared homes at high risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earthquakes are especially common in states like <\/span>California<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Oregon<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Washington<\/span><\/a>. However, they can strike throughout the United States, so regardless of where you live, it\u2019s essential to be prepared.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you live in a house in <\/span>Seattle, WA<\/span><\/a>, a rental property in <\/span>San Francisco, CA<\/span><\/a>, or anywhere in-between, read on to learn how to prepare your home for an earthquake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is an earthquake?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that occurs when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, resulting in the shaking or trembling of the ground. This release of energy is usually caused by the <\/span>movement of tectonic plates<\/span><\/a>, which make up the Earth’s outer shell.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earthquakes are often composed of <\/span>three events<\/span><\/a>: foreshocks, mainshocks, and aftershocks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n