Did you know that East Tennessee is one of the most active seismic zones in the country? The image to the right shows the last six months of earthquake activity as of last week.
This morning more than 2.5 million people participated in The Great Central US ShakeOut to encourage earthquake preparedness. As part of the ShakeOut, The Office of Emergency Management urges you to take a moment to learn what to do should an earthquake impact campus.
- Seek shelter under a sturdy desk. If a desk is not available, move into a hallway or stand against an inside wall.
- Do NOT exit the building. Falling materials can be deadly.
- If you are in a wheelchair, lock your wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops.
- Do NOT run down stairs. Stay clear of windows and heavy appliances.
- If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings, utility lines, trees, bridges, or any other structure that could fall.
- Once the shaking has stopped, exit the building. Doors may be jammed, so exiting through another means may be necessary.
- Report your condition and location to emergency preparedness personnel or other officials. If trapped, bang on something to make noise rather than yelling for help.
Learn more about what to do in case of emergencies at safety.utk.edu.