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If you are close to the source of an earthquake, you may hear a loud bang followed by shaking. Further away, your first warning might be swaying buildings or a sudden noise like a roaring sound. In either location, you will probably feel shaking followed by a rolling motion that rotates up, down and sideways. Expect the ground or floor to move, perhaps violently. You will probably feel dizzy and be unable to walk during the earthquake. If you live in a high rise or a multi-storey building, you may experience more sway and less shaking than in a smaller, single-storey building. Lower floors will shake rapidly, much like residential homes. On upper floors, movement will be slower but the building will move farther from side to side. Furnishings and unsecured objects could fall over or slide across the floor. Unsecured light fixtures and ceiling panels may fall. Windows may break. Don't be surprised if the fire alarm, sprinkler systems, lights and power go off. A moderate earthquake might last only a few seconds while a large earthquake could last for several minutes. Wherever you are when an earthquake starts, take cover immediately and stay there until the shaking stops. If you are in a crowded public place, take cover where you won’t be trampled.
Earthquakes are often followed by aftershocks: smaller earthquakes that happen when the earth underneath the surface adjusts to a new position. If you feel aftershocks, stay where you are until they stop. Earthquakes can trigger huge ocean waves called tsunamis. If you are near the ocean, move far away from the waterfront.
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version: During and After and Earthquake
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