As a longtime resident of California, Mimi Gatens has experienced her share of earthquakes. However, none felt or sounded quite like the one that jolted her awake early on Aug. 24, 2014.

“It seemed like it lasted for several minutes and, in fact, it was about 25 seconds,” Gatens said. “It really is like a freight train is going through your house.”

Thousands of earthquakes occur annually in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Geological Society’s National Earthquake Information Center. The vast majority range in magnitude from 2.0 to 3.9 – strong enough to notice, but not likely to cause significant damage. On 
average, about five to 10 earthquakes per year in the United States register a 6.0-magnitude or greater – the earthquake that Gatens experienced was a 6.0-magnitude event.

Although most structures are built to withstand earthquakes, plenty of danger remains. Quakes have killed more than 140 people in the United States over the past three decades. Two of those events were particularly deadly: A September 1989 6.9-magnitude temblor south of San Francisco killed 63 people. And in January 1994, a 6.7-magnitude quake shook Northridge, CA, resulting in 60 deaths.

Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes often strike with no warning, and no one knows where or when the next major one will hit.

“Half of the U.S. population is vulnerable to shaking of some level, according to the national seismic hazard maps,” said Jason Ballmann, communications specialist for the Southern California Earthquake Center. “The best thing you can do ahead of time is to practice how you will be safe when shaking happens.”

Getting prepared

Millions of Americans have helped to prepare themselves for an earthquake by annually taking part in “Great ShakeOut” earthquake drills. The annual training event – which takes place in numerous areas of the country, including the Midwest and Southeast – reinforces the SCEC’s emphasis to “drop, cover and hold on” during an earthquake.

“That means when you feel shaking to drop to your hands and knees, seek cover underneath a sturdy desk or table, and hold on until the shaking stops,” Ballmann said. “If you find yourself in a situation where there is not a table or a sturdy desk, then you want to try and find an interior corner of the room if you are inside. If you are outside, you want to try and find a place that is away from trees or power lines or anything else that can fall on you.”

A common myth is that people can protect themselves by standing in a doorway.

“The problem with a doorway is when you feel strong shaking, you’re trying to protect yourself from falling and flying objects,” Ballmann said. “Getting into a doorway actually exposes you even more to those.”

When the ground stops shaking, wait at least one minute before emerging because of the possibility of an aftershock or a larger main shock. Sniff the air for evidence of a fire or other hazards. Get up from underneath the desk or table, but do so with extreme caution. The ground could be covered with broken glass and other sharp objects that have been tossed around the room.

To help prevent loose items from falling during a quake, Gatens suggests individuals buy earthquake putty to affix display items to walls and shelves.

“Items fall, but the crazy thing is that they fall, and then they get put into a martini shaker, and everything is shaken up and tossed around whatever building or grounds you’re on,” Gatens said. “It’s crazy when it’s over and you see where everything has gone.”

Gatens has practiced earthquake drills since she was a child. She now works as a marketing manager for Trefethen Family Vineyards, where they conduct a monthly safety meeting.

The 2014 earthquake in Napa, CA, badly damaged Trefethen’s historic winery, which was built in 1886 – coincidentally, the same year a 7.3-magnitude earthquake destroyed much of Charleston, SC, and which remains the largest earthquake to strike the Southeast.

Gatens offers sound advice to those who may one day experience an earthquake.

“The most important thing is to keep calm and move safely,” Gatens said. “You definitely don’t want to run outside, especially if you are in an area where there are tall buildings. You want to stay inside and keep calm. And hold on.”