You’re sitting on the couch, maybe scrolling through your phone or halfway through a cup of coffee, and suddenly the floor feels like it turned into Jello. Or maybe it was just a quick, sharp jolt that made the windows rattle in their frames. Your first instinct is usually the same: Was there an earthquake just now? It’s a weird, unsettling feeling. Honestly, your brain sometimes plays tricks on you. A heavy truck passing by, a neighbor slamming a door, or even a sudden dizzy spell can mimic the low-frequency vibrations of a small quake. But when that swaying persists for more than a second or two, the adrenaline hits. You aren't imagining things.
If you felt it, millions of others probably did too. But before you run to social media to see if "Earthquake" is trending, there are faster, more scientific ways to figure out exactly what happened under your feet.
How to confirm if there was an earthquake just now
The fastest way to get a definitive answer isn't actually Twitter (or X). It’s the USGS (United States Geological Survey). They maintain a real-time "Latest Earthquakes" map that updates within minutes of a significant event. If you’re in Europe, the EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre) is your best bet. They use crowdsourced data alongside seismic sensors to map out tremors almost instantly.
Look for the "Did You Feel It?" (DYFI) report on the USGS website. This is actually a vital scientific tool. By reporting what you felt—whether it was a light sway or objects falling off shelves—you’re providing "intensity" data that helps seismologists understand how different soil types and building structures respond to the shaking. It's basically citizen science in real-time.
Sometimes the sensors take a minute to process the raw data. If the map is blank but your chandelier is still swinging, wait about 60 to 120 seconds. The automated systems need to triangulate the waves from multiple stations to pin down the epicenter and the magnitude.
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Why you felt it when your neighbor didn't
Earthquakes are fickle. You might have felt a rolling motion while someone three blocks away felt absolutely nothing. This isn't just in your head. It usually comes down to two things: local geology and where you are in a building.
If your house is built on soft sediment or "fill" dirt, the seismic waves actually slow down and increase in amplitude. It's like a megaphone for the earth's energy. If your neighbor is sitting on solid bedrock, the waves pass through much faster and with less shaking.
Then there’s the height factor. If you’re on the 10th floor of an apartment building, you are going to feel a quake way more than someone on the ground floor. Buildings are designed to flex. That swaying you feel is the structure doing exactly what it was engineered to do—absorbing energy so it doesn't snap. It feels terrifying, but it's actually a safety feature.
Understanding the "Just Now" feeling: P-waves vs. S-waves
Geophysics is actually pretty cool when you're not panicked. Every earthquake sends out different types of waves. The P-wave (Primary wave) is the fast one. It’s a compressional wave that hits like a thud or a sudden "bump." Often, dogs will start barking seconds before the real shaking starts because they can hear or feel these high-frequency P-waves that humans miss.
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The S-wave (Secondary wave) is the one that causes the trouble. It’s slower, it arrives later, and it moves the ground side-to-side or up-and-down. If you felt a small jolt followed by a few seconds of silence and then a big shake, you were experiencing the gap between those two waves. The longer the gap between the "bump" and the "shake," the farther away the epicenter is.
What to do the second the shaking starts
Forget the "triangle of life" or running outside. Most experts, including those at the Southern California Earthquake Center, agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the only way to go.
- Drop to your hands and knees. This protects you from being knocked over and keeps you low to the ground.
- Cover your head and neck with your arms. If there’s a sturdy table nearby, crawl under it.
- Hold On to your shelter until the shaking stops.
Don't run outside. It’s a common mistake. Most injuries during earthquakes don't happen because buildings collapse; they happen because people get hit by falling glass, bricks, or power lines while trying to exit the building. Stay put. Wait it out.
Is a bigger one coming?
The "aftershock" question is the one everyone asks immediately after a tremor. Statistically, every earthquake has a small chance (usually around 5%) of being a "foreshock" to a larger event. But most of the time, the shaking you just felt will be followed by smaller aftershocks as the earth's crust readjusts.
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These aftershocks can happen minutes, hours, or even days later. They are usually less intense, but if a building was already damaged by the first quake, the aftershocks can do the final bit of damage.
Actionable steps for the next few minutes
Once the shaking has stopped and you've confirmed there was an earthquake just now, don't just go back to your Netflix show. Take these specific steps:
- Check your utility lines. Smell for gas. If you smell that "rotten egg" odor, turn off the main gas valve immediately and get out. Don't flip any light switches, as a spark could trigger an explosion.
- Check for "silent" damage. Look for new cracks in the drywall, especially around door frames and windows. Check your chimney if you have one; they are notorious for collapsing outward.
- Update your emergency kit. If you realized you didn't know where your flashlight was, or your shoes were in the other room, fix that now. Keep a pair of sturdy shoes under your bed. Most earthquake injuries are actually cut feet from broken glass in the dark.
- Log your experience. Head over to the USGS "Did You Feel It?" page. Your specific location data helps emergency responders prioritize areas that might have suffered the most intense shaking, even if the magnitude seemed low on paper.
Earthquakes are a reminder that the ground isn't as solid as we like to think. Stay aware, keep your shoes handy, and always know where your shut-off valves are.