Why the Earthquake in the Bay Area Wasn't as Bad as Everyone Feared

If you’re like many people in the Bay Area, you probably woke up early on Thursday morning, with your phone and computer in hand, trying to get as much information as possible about the magnitude of this morning’s earthquake and what it means for the region going forward. However, despite concerns from residents (and officials) across the area, this earthquake turned out to be much less severe than initially feared - and there are several reasons why that’s the case. Read on to learn more about this earthquake and why it was better than everyone thought it would be.

What Happened?

On Sunday, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit just south of Napa, California. It’s reported that dozens of buildings have been damaged and at least thirty-five people have been injured. Some residents have described it as feeling like they were riding in a car, when all of a sudden their car was rear-ended hard enough to make them feel like they were being pushed forward. Ouch! Clearly that would be painful, but thankfully nobody was killed or left with life-threatening injuries. While many might assume otherwise, there is a clear reason why: San Francisco is built on bedrock. This means that even though some damage has occurred (as you can see in pictures posted by locals), no one has actually died from falling debris. What’s more, experts are saying that because of how quickly emergency services arrived, most people who were hurt should fully recover from their injuries. That said, if you live in an area prone to earthquakes—or are planning on visiting one—it's important to know what you should do during an earthquake. The general rule of thumb is simple: If you're inside a building and an earthquake strikes, get under something sturdy (like a table) until it stops shaking.

What It Could Have Been

The San Andreas fault runs for more than 700 miles through California, passing through some of its most populated areas. But thankfully, it has not produced a devastating earthquake in over a century. Experts don’t know when it will happen again or how big that earthquake could be. They do know it will happen again—the only question is when. When it does hit, they say there won’t be much warning and residents need to be prepared. Part of being prepared means creating an emergency kit, so people can take care of themselves after losing access to water and power for a few days. For those who live in earthquake-prone areas, experts recommend having enough food and water on hand to last at least 72 hours. That way if you are trapped inside your home during a quake, you have what you need until help arrives. In addition to food and water, here are other items recommended by FEMA:

The USGS said Sunday's quake was centered about 6 miles northwest of Pawnee Rock at 7:44 p.m., with a depth of 3 miles. No injuries were reported but officials said they would survey damage Monday morning.

Earthquakes Are (Usually) Not That Scary

According to more than 100,000 responses to a United States Geological Survey national survey, 67 percent of Americans believe earthquakes can cause serious damage. Only one out of four people thinks shaking alone can cause serious damage. Fortunately, earthquakes don’t usually kill people; they do cause injuries and property damage, but these incidents are rare. The biggest threat is not an earthquake itself, but what happens before or after one strikes. People should be aware of their surroundings and prepare for emergencies before disasters strike. Here are some steps you can take if you live in an area where earthquakes are common Know how to react during an earthquake: When your home starts shaking, get under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture. Stay away from windows and outside walls. If you’re driving when an earthquake hits, pull over safely and stop until it's safe to proceed. Avoid tall buildings: Earthquakes happen every day somewhere on Earth, but most aren't strong enough to do any real damage.

Dealing with Anxiety About Earthquakes

For those who live in areas prone to earthquakes, there is a constant fear of being harmed by them. But while it’s natural to be nervous around earthquakes, these fears can become so extreme that they start to affect your life negatively. If you feel you might be experiencing anxiety about earthquakes, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional. These therapists have had training on how to treat anxiety disorders. With their assistance, you can learn how to manage your emotions and reduce or stop your fearful thoughts so that you can get back to living a healthy and happy life without having a fear of something terrible happening every time an earthquake hits. The first step is recognizing if you are dealing with earthquake anxiety. Here are some symptoms to look for: You often think about earthquakes, even when one isn’t occurring at that moment. It feels like earthquakes are always on your mind—and you feel powerless to control these thoughts and feelings. You constantly check for news stories related to earthquakes online or via social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter . You frequently Google information about earthquake safety , but find yourself doing so more out of worry than actual concern for your own safety during an earthquake.