Is the Earth Shaking More Often?

In the past decade, earthquake alerts have become increasingly common. From minor tremors to devastating quakes, reports seem to be popping up more frequently. But is this truly a rise in seismic activity or simply a reflection of better detection technologies and reporting infrastructure?

Seismologists suggest it’s a combination of both. While the Earth’s tectonic behavior hasn't fundamentally changed, densely populated regions, unregulated construction, and global connectivity mean more people feel the effects and hear about them immediately.

How Earthquakes Happen: A Geological Perspective

Earthquakes are caused when tectonic plates—massive slabs of the Earth’s crust—move against each other. This movement builds pressure at fault lines, and when it exceeds the strength of the rock, it releases suddenly, producing seismic waves.

There are three primary types of fault movement: strike-slip (plates slide horizontally), normal (one plate drops), and thrust (one plate is pushed over another). Earthquakes can also be induced by volcanic activity or even deep human intervention such as groundwater extraction and fossil fuel drilling.

Recent Earthquake Case Studies

1. Drake Passage, Chile and Antarctica (May 2, 2025): A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Drake Passage, approximately 218 km south of Puerto Williams, Chile. The quake prompted tsunami warnings and evacuations in the Magallanes region and Chilean Antarctic Territory. Although no casualties or significant damage were reported, the event highlighted the seismic risks in this remote area. Source

2. Myanmar and Thailand (March 2025): A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar near Sagaing, resulting in over 5,700 deaths and more than 12,300 injuries. Tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand, where a high-rise building collapsed, causing additional fatalities. The disaster underscored the seismic vulnerability of Southeast Asia. Source

3. Tibet, China (January 2025): A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Shigatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region, causing at least 126 deaths and injuring over 130 people. The quake led to significant infrastructure damage in both Tibet and neighboring Nepal. Source

4. Istanbul, Turkey (April 2025): A 6.4 magnitude earthquake impacted the Marmara region, including Istanbul, resulting in at least 360 injuries and moderate infrastructure damage. It was the most significant seismic event in the area since 1999. Source

5. Hualien, Taiwan (April 2024): A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Hualien City, leading to 10 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. The quake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, but stringent building codes mitigated further catastrophe. Source

6. Noto Peninsula, Japan (January 2024): A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula, resulting in at least 202 deaths and injuring over 665 individuals. The quake led to the collapse of numerous structures and triggered landslides. Source

7. Chile (2024): Chile experienced a significant offshore earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2. The nation's robust building codes and emergency preparedness measures helped minimize casualties, though economic disruptions occurred in coastal towns. Source

Why Cities Are Especially Vulnerable

Modern cities are architectural marvels, but many sit directly atop fault zones. High-rise buildings, underground utilities, and crowded road networks increase the risk of systemic failure during a quake. Older infrastructure not retrofitted for seismic activity poses grave dangers, particularly in low-income and developing nations.

Urban sprawl also places more people closer to high-risk zones. In many cities, unplanned settlements mushroom faster than regulations can keep up, leaving entire neighborhoods extremely vulnerable.

How to Stay Safe During an Earthquake

Surviving an earthquake depends on your level of preparedness and how you react during the shaking. While you can't prevent an earthquake, you can take steps to reduce risk and protect yourself and others. Here are detailed, actionable strategies to stay safe:

1. During the Earthquake:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On: The moment you feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops. This helps protect you from falling objects and structural debris.

Avoid Doorways: Contrary to popular belief, doorways are not the safest places to be. They offer little protection and may expose you to injury from swinging doors or structural collapse.

Stay Indoors if You’re Inside: Do not run outside during the quake. Exterior walls are more likely to collapse, and glass or debris from buildings can injure you. Stay where you are and take shelter.

If You’re Outside: Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop to the ground and stay low until the shaking stops.

If You’re in a Vehicle: Stop safely away from overpasses, bridges, tunnels, and large buildings. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. Turn on hazard lights and wait until it's safe to continue driving.

If You're Near the Coast: After the shaking stops, move quickly to higher ground to avoid possible tsunamis. Don't wait for an official alert — natural signs like long or strong shaking are your warning.

Stay Calm: Panicking can lead to poor decisions. Focus on protecting yourself first, then helping others when it is safe to do so.

Protect Your Head and Neck: If nothing is available to hide under, use your arms, a backpack, or anything nearby to shield your head from falling debris.

After the Earthquake: What to Do Next

Check Yourself and Others for Injuries: Administer basic first aid if needed. Call for emergency help if necessary, but avoid overwhelming emergency lines unless it's urgent.

Inspect Your Surroundings: Look for hazards like gas leaks, fires, broken glass, or unstable structures. Evacuate only if your location is no longer safe.

Avoid Using Elevators: Aftershocks could disable power or cause mechanical failure, trapping you inside.

Be Prepared for Aftershocks: These smaller quakes can follow minutes or days after the main one and may cause additional damage. Stay alert and continue using "Drop, Cover, Hold On" if they occur.

Use Phones for Emergency Only: Keep phone lines open for those in serious danger. Use text or online messaging if available.

Stay Informed: Tune into local radio, emergency apps, or official news channels for updates, warnings, or evacuation notices.

Document and Report Damage: If it’s safe, take photos and notes of structural or personal damage for insurance or community assistance claims.

Preparing in Advance: Earthquake Readiness Tips

Create a Family Emergency Plan: Ensure every household member knows what to do, where to meet, and how to contact each other during a disaster.

Build an Emergency Kit: Include water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, important documents, cash, and medications. Keep one in your home, car, and workplace.

Secure Your Space: Anchor heavy furniture, appliances, and wall hangings. Store breakables and hazardous materials in low, secure places.

Know the Safe Spots: Identify safe areas in each room — under sturdy tables or against interior walls — and avoid areas near windows or items that can fall.

Participate in Drills: Regular earthquake drills at school, work, or home can help make the correct response second nature.

The Mental Health Aftershock

The psychological toll of surviving an earthquake can be just as profound as the physical. Survivors often report anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, and a persistent fear of aftershocks. Community trauma can linger for years, especially among children and the elderly.

Mental health services, unfortunately, are often underfunded in the aftermath of disaster, and many victims never receive the support they need to truly recover.

Economic Fallout: Counting the Cost

Earthquakes can devastate national economies. Losses include destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, halted industries, and forced migration. Small businesses often don’t recover. In many places, informal labor is wiped out entirely, increasing poverty and inequality.

Governments must reroute funds toward rebuilding, often incurring debt. Insurance can soften the blow, but coverage remains low in many at-risk regions. Meanwhile, disaster-related industries—construction, health services, tech innovation—may see spikes in demand, illustrating a bittersweet economic paradox.

Disaster Capitalism and Ethics

While some businesses respond ethically to disaster, others exploit it. Inflated prices for basic goods, rushed and substandard construction contracts, or politically driven land acquisition are common in post-earthquake scenarios.

This dark side of disaster response—sometimes called “disaster capitalism”—raises serious ethical concerns about profit-making from human suffering and inadequate regulation during emergencies.

Can Earthquakes Be Predicted?

Despite decades of research, earthquakes remain notoriously difficult to predict. Unlike hurricanes or floods, they offer no visible warning. Scientists can estimate risk in regions, but not pinpoint exact times. However, early warning systems using real-time sensors are improving and have already saved lives in some countries by giving seconds of advanced notice.

Long-Term Preparedness: What We Must Do Now

True safety lies in prevention and planning. Governments should enforce earthquake-resistant building codes, invest in public education, and support scientific research. Individuals should prepare emergency kits, engage in drills, and stay informed through verified sources.

Community resilience—built through cooperation, trust, and preparation—is the most powerful tool we have in facing a force of nature that is beyond human control.

Conclusion: The Ground Will Shake Again—Will We Be Ready?

Earthquakes are a brutal reminder of nature’s power. But with awareness, planning, and ethical leadership, we can reduce the harm they cause. Let’s move from reaction to readiness, and from short-term panic to long-term resilience.

At Freshly Spoken, we believe informed minds build safer communities. Share this article, and let’s prepare together.