Earthquakes may not be a daily concern for most of us, but geologists warn that the risk is very real. West Central Alabama, including Tuscaloosa and surrounding counties, sits near the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone, a region that has experienced hundreds of small earthquakes over the past century.
While most of these quakes are minor, history shows that Alabama is not immune to stronger seismic activity. A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Shelby County in 1916, and a magnitude 4.9 quake near Fort Payne in 2003 was felt across multiple counties, causing minor damage. In Tuscaloosa County, the strongest recorded earthquake occurred on Jan. 18, 1999, with a magnitude of 4.8. The epicenter was located just nine miles from the city of Tuscaloosa.
What To Do During An Earthquake
If the ground begins to shake, experts recommend following three simple steps:
- DROP to your hands and knees to avoid being knocked over.
- COVER your head and neck and take shelter under a sturdy table or desk to protect yourself from falling debris.
- HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
Move away from buildings, trees, and power lines if you’re outside. If you’re driving, pull over safely and remain in your vehicle until the shaking ends.
National ShakeOut Day
To promote earthquake preparedness, The University of Alabama will participate in International ShakeOut Day on Thursday, Oct. 16. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to practice the DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON technique any time during the day.
To help spread awareness, take a photo of yourself practicing and share it with @UA_Safety on Instagram.
Participation is simple, but the impact could be life-saving. Earthquake drills help all of us prepare for the unexpected, and ensure that when the ground shakes, we know how to respond.
Safety Reminder: UA Alert System Test
Weather permitting, the University will test its emergency notification systems, including UA Alerts, the public address system and digital signage Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 11:55 a.m.