When living in an earthquake zone, you are aware. You prepare. You adapt to the earth’s movement which is not always large or even noticeable. Small quakes you even learn to ignore.

You are aware of the danger so you buy things that do not break. You secure things to the wall. You keep all bottles tightly closed so in a quake what is inside doesn’t spill out everywhere. Cracks in the foundations and walls are cause for concerns so you fix them. You take out earthquake insurance if you can. You learn where to go in the event of an earthquake, such as in door frames and under heavy furniture so when the ceiling collapses it won’t harm you. You also learn never to run outside when a quake is in progress as this can cause injury to you.

You prepare by having food and water sources accessible. You also have a good first aid kit handy. You participate in earthquake safety drills. Small earthquakes offer good training exercises as what to do in a big earthquake.

You adapt by securing shelves adding doors to cupboards and reinforcing walls as best you can. You learn that small quakes do little damage but cause stress. Small earthquakes in an earthquake zone are expected. Many small quakes occur in a single month. The closer you live to a fault or volcano the more likely it is that you will experience the small earthquakes.

Bigger earthquakes cause more lifestyle changes. Mainly because, large earthquakes affect the immediate environment. These can cause power outages, water supply outages and stoppages, and road closures. Because aftershocks follow all large earthquakes, people tend to live and work outside. It is not uncommon for the area to experience thousands in the weeks following a big one. Some people set up tent cities so they don’t have to even sleep inside. The major lifestyle change that happens sometimes is after a large earthquake, people move away.

However, big earthquakes rarely happen. This writer, having experienced and lived in earthquake zones know that few lifestyle changes exist from other lifestyles. People basically participate in the same things that the general public does: going to school/work, running errands, doing chores, and taking care of themselves and others. The main thing is to know what to do in the event of an earthquake and then do it when it occurs. Education will save many people.