Probability of Dying in an Earthquake

Earthquakes pose a relatively low fatality risk in the United States compared to many other countries, with estimated lifetime odds of about 1 in 136,858. This low figure is due to strict building codes in seismic zones. However, risk is highly location-dependent: residents of California, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of the central US face significantly higher risk.

The USGS estimates that several million earthquakes occur worldwide each year, but most are too small to be felt. Major earthquakes (magnitude 7.0+) occur about 15 times per year globally. In the US, the San Andreas Fault and the Cascadia Subduction Zone pose the greatest seismic risk. A magnitude 9.0+ Cascadia event could produce a catastrophic tsunami.

Earthquake preparedness includes securing heavy furniture and water heaters, creating an emergency supply kit (72 hours of supplies), developing a family communication plan, knowing how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On," and considering earthquake insurance (standard homeowner policies exclude earthquake damage). Retrofitting older homes to bolt them to their foundations can prevent collapse.