Why You Should Be Careful of Aftershocks After an Earthquake

After an earthquake, aftershocks can create new risks around damaged buildings, falling objects, utilities, and unsafe roads. Learn practical steps to stay aware and safer.

Why Aftershocks Deserve Your Attention

When the ground finally stops shaking after an earthquake, it is natural to feel like the worst part is over. You may want to stand up, check your phone, look outside, call family, or start cleaning up right away.

But earthquakes often do not end with one single shake.

Aftershocks can follow the main earthquake, and they can happen minutes, hours, days, or even longer afterward. The U.S. Geological Survey explains that aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that happen in the same general area after a larger event, and their frequency usually decreases over time.

That means the risk often changes after the first quake. The first shaking may have weakened a shelf, cracked a wall, loosened bricks, shifted a water heater, damaged a stairwell, or left glass on the floor. Then an aftershock can shake those already-weakened things again.

This does not mean you need to live in fear after every earthquake. It means the period right after a quake deserves calm attention. A few careful habits can make a big difference.

What Is an Aftershock?

An aftershock is another earthquake that follows a larger earthquake in the same general area. It happens because the fault and surrounding ground are still adjusting after the first major movement.

A helpful way to picture it is to imagine a heavy bookshelf shifting during the first shake. Even after it stops moving, it may still be leaning, unstable, or ready to fall if bumped again. The ground can behave in a similar way after a large quake. The first event changes stress underground, and smaller quakes may follow as the area settles.

USGS notes that aftershocks are part of an earthquake sequence and can continue until normal background seismic activity resumes.

The important thing for everyday safety is simple: after the first earthquake, stay alert. The next shake may not be as strong, but it can still cause problems because your surroundings may already be damaged.

The First Quake May Have Weakened Things You Can’t See

One reason aftershocks are risky is that earthquake damage is not always obvious.

A building can look mostly normal from one angle while hiding cracks, loosened ceiling materials, damaged pipes, weakened chimneys, or shifted furniture. A cabinet may still be standing but barely balanced. A mirror may still be hanging but loose on the wall. A brick façade may look fine until another shake causes pieces to fall.

The CDC advises people to be careful near damaged buildings and not to enter damaged buildings until local authorities say it is safe. It also warns people to leave if they hear shifting or unusual noises, because those sounds may mean a building is becoming unstable.

That is why the minutes after an earthquake are not the best time to rush around, climb over debris, or start pulling things off shelves. Your home, office, school, or apartment may need a careful look before you move freely.

Aftershocks Can Turn Small Hazards Into Bigger Ones

A fallen picture frame on the floor is annoying. A broken glass cabinet is inconvenient. A cracked wall may seem like something to inspect later.

But during an aftershock, small hazards can become more serious.

Loose objects may fall. Glass may slide off counters. Furniture may tip the rest of the way over. Ceiling tiles, light fixtures, and damaged shelves may drop. A weakened chimney or exterior wall can shed bricks or pieces of material.

This is why the area near buildings can be risky after a quake. Even if you make it safely outside, standing right beside the building is not ideal. Ready.gov advises that if you are in a damaged building, you should go outside and quickly move away from it.

The goal is not to panic. The goal is to avoid the places where loosened materials are most likely to fall.

What You Should Do If an Aftershock Starts

If an aftershock begins, treat it like an earthquake. Do not try to run across the room or dash outside while shaking is happening.

The widely recommended action is “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” ShakeOut, supported by emergency management experts and preparedness organizations, describes this as the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.

That means:

Drop down before the shaking knocks you down.

Take cover under a sturdy table or desk if one is nearby.

Hold on until the shaking stops.

If there is no table or desk close by, get low near an interior wall and protect your head and neck from falling objects. Try to stay away from windows, tall furniture, heavy mirrors, and anything that could fall.

It may feel strange to do this for a smaller aftershock, especially if you are busy checking damage. But aftershocks can arrive suddenly, and the room may already be unstable.

Why You Should Not Rush Back Inside

After the first earthquake, many people want to go back inside to grab shoes, phones, wallets, medication, documents, pets, or valuables. That urge is understandable. Home is familiar, and belongings feel urgent.

But entering a damaged building too soon can be risky.

Aftershocks can cause additional damage to structures that were weakened by the first quake. The CDC’s guidance is clear: do not enter a damaged building until local authorities say it is safe.

If you left because the building looked damaged, smelled like gas, had smoke, had falling debris, or made strange shifting sounds, do not treat the pause in shaking as proof that everything is fine.

If you are already outside in a safer open area, stay there until you have more information. Listen for local alerts, building management instructions, or emergency updates.

Watch for Falling Objects Inside the Home

Inside a home, aftershocks most often create danger through falling and shifting objects.

Look around for tall bookcases, cabinets, televisions, mirrors, wall art, lamps, dishes, glass shelves, and heavy items stored high up. If the first quake moved them, another shake may bring them down.

In the kitchen, broken dishes and jars can scatter across the floor. In the bathroom, mirrors and glass containers can break. In the bedroom, bookshelves, dressers, or framed art may shift. In the garage, tools, paint cans, bicycles, storage bins, and water heaters can move or fall.

A practical habit is to avoid cleaning immediately with bare hands or bare feet. Put on sturdy shoes if you can. Use gloves if available. Keep kids and pets away from rooms where glass or heavy items have fallen.

Cleaning can wait a little. Staying aware of aftershocks comes first.

Be Careful Around Stairs, Hallways, and Exits

Stairs and hallways can be especially tricky after an earthquake. They are narrow, they collect debris, and they are often the route everyone wants to use at the same time.

An aftershock can make damaged stairs feel unstable. Handrails may be loose. Exit signs, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, or wall materials may have shifted. In apartment buildings, offices, schools, or hotels, people may also be crowding the same exit routes.

If you need to leave, move carefully. Use stairs instead of elevators. Watch each step. Avoid pushing or rushing. Keep one hand free if possible so you can steady yourself.

Once outside, move away from the building rather than stopping right at the doorway. Doorways and sidewalks near exterior walls can still be exposed to falling glass, bricks, signs, roof tiles, or other loosened materials.

Utilities Can Be Damaged Too

Aftershocks are not only about falling objects. The first earthquake may also damage gas lines, water lines, electrical wiring, appliances, or utility connections.

That is why you should pay attention to warning signs such as the smell of gas, sparks, smoke, broken pipes, exposed wires, unusual sounds, or water pooling near electrical equipment. Do not ignore these signs just because the shaking has stopped.

For everyday households, the safer habit is to avoid using matches, lighters, candles, or electrical switches if you suspect a gas leak or electrical damage. Use a flashlight instead of an open flame. Follow local utility and emergency guidance.

You do not need to become a building inspector. You simply need to notice when something seems wrong and avoid making the situation worse.

Common Mistake: Thinking “It Wasn’t That Strong”

Not every earthquake causes major damage. Many are mild. Sometimes a quake feels like a truck passing by or a quick jolt under your feet.

The mistake is assuming that because you are okay, everything around you is okay too.

A moderate quake can still knock items loose, crack glass, shift heavy objects, or damage older structures. In areas where earthquakes are less common, shelves, water heaters, furniture, and wall-mounted items may not be secured well. That can make even a smaller quake more disruptive indoors.

Aftershocks may also feel stronger in certain locations depending on the building, floor level, soil, and distance from the fault. So instead of judging only by fear or noise, take a practical look around.

Ask: What moved? What cracked? What fell? What could fall if shaking happens again?

Common Mistake: Standing Near Windows or Exterior Walls

After an earthquake, people often move toward windows to look outside. They want to see what happened, check the street, or record video.

Windows are not the best place to stand during aftershocks.

Glass may already be cracked. Frames may be stressed. Objects outside may fall against windows. Another shake can break glass that survived the first one.

If you need information, use a phone, radio, or official alert if available. If you need to look outside, do it briefly and from a safer position, not with your face or body close to the glass.

The same idea applies to exterior walls, brick fireplaces, chimneys, and large wall-mounted items. If another shake comes, you want distance from anything that could break or fall.

Common Mistake: Letting Kids Run Around Too Soon

Children may react to earthquakes in very different ways. Some freeze. Some cry. Some become unusually quiet. Others start running around because they are scared or full of nervous energy.

After a quake, kids may not notice broken glass, loose furniture, or objects that could fall during an aftershock.

Keep instructions simple and calm. Say things like:

“Stay near me.”

“Shoes on first.”

“Do not touch broken glass.”

“If the shaking starts again, we get low and cover.”

Avoid long explanations in the moment. Children usually need short, clear directions. Later, when things are calmer, you can explain what aftershocks are and why the family waited before going back inside or cleaning up.

Common Mistake: Forgetting Pets

Pets can also panic after an earthquake. Dogs may bolt through open doors. Cats may hide under furniture or inside damaged areas. Birds, reptiles, and small animals may be stressed by shaking, noise, and broken enclosures.

If it is safe to do so, secure pets before opening doors or moving through damaged spaces. Use a leash, carrier, or closed room away from broken glass. Do not chase a frightened animal into a damaged area during aftershocks.

As with people, the goal is calm control, not speed. A pet emergency kit, carrier, and familiar leash can make this easier before a real earthquake happens.

How to Prepare for Aftershocks Before an Earthquake Happens

The best aftershock safety starts before the first quake.

Secure tall furniture to walls. Fasten heavy mirrors and frames. Avoid storing heavy items above beds, couches, or desks. Use cabinet latches in kitchens if you live in an earthquake-prone area. Strap water heaters where recommended. Keep sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed.

Make a family plan for where to meet if you need to leave the home. Pick a spot away from buildings, trees, power lines, and walls. Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” with children so it feels familiar instead of scary.

Keep emergency supplies in a place that is reachable but not likely to be blocked by falling items. Include basics such as water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, phone chargers, pet supplies, and copies of key information.

Preparedness does not have to be complicated. It just needs to be realistic.

What to Do in the First Hour After a Quake

The first hour after an earthquake is a time for awareness.

Check yourself and others for obvious injuries. Put on shoes. Look for hazards before walking. Expect aftershocks. Avoid damaged rooms. Stay away from windows and unstable furniture. If you need to leave, move carefully and get away from the building.

Check trusted local information when possible. Emergency alerts, local government updates, utility company notices, and building management instructions may help you decide what to do next.

Do not overload phone networks with unnecessary calls if texting works. A short message such as “I’m safe” may be enough to reassure family.

If you are in a damaged area, avoid sightseeing, driving around, or returning to buildings just to take photos. Roads, bridges, sidewalks, and structures may still be unsafe.

Keeping the Risk in Perspective

Aftershocks sound frightening, but the point is not to make you anxious every time the floor shakes. Most aftershocks are smaller than the main earthquake. Many cause little or no additional damage.

The reason to take them seriously is that your surroundings may already be weakened.

A small shake can matter if it knocks down a cabinet that was already leaning. A mild jolt can matter if it breaks glass that was already cracked. A quick aftershock can matter if someone is standing on a damaged stairway or walking under loose bricks.

So the right attitude is balanced: do not panic, but do not rush back to normal too quickly.

Conclusion: Stay Alert After the Shaking Stops

Aftershocks are one of the main reasons earthquake safety continues after the first shaking ends. They can shake damaged buildings, loosen falling objects, create new hazards, and make cleanup or re-entry more dangerous than it looks.

The practical takeaway is simple. After an earthquake, pause before moving around. Put on shoes. Check for damage. Stay away from windows, heavy furniture, and unstable areas. If another shake starts, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. If a building appears damaged, move away from it and do not go back inside until it is considered safe.

You do not need to be afraid of every aftershock. You just need to respect the fact that the earthquake sequence may not be finished. A little patience, awareness, and preparation can help you protect yourself and the people around you during those uncertain minutes and hours after a quake.