3.0-Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Western Washington, Seismologists Report

The U.S. Geological Survey said that on Tuesday, February 18, a 3.0 magnitude earthquake shook the western part of Washington.

The 9:54 a.m. quake, which was 5.4 miles deep, happened about 7 miles east of Greenwater.

The location of the quake was in Snoqualmie National Forest.

The agency heard from more than 20 people, some from as far away as Everett and Seattle, that they felt the quake.

Greenwater is a census-designated place in Pierce County that has 97 people living in it.

The U.S. Geological Survey says that the magnitude of an earthquake shows how much energy it releases at its source. It takes the place of the old Richter scale.

Michigan Tech says that quakes with a magnitude of 2.5 to 5.4 are often felt but don’t do much damage. Most people rarely feel quakes that are less than 2.5 on the Richter scale.

It is possible for fires, tsunamis, landslides, and avalanches to be caused by earthquakes’ quick, strong shaking. They can happen anywhere, but the Department of Homeland Security says they happen most often in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and Washington.

It’s best to get safe right away if an earthquake happens. Here are some tips from experts:

Stop and pull over if you’re in a car. Put the brakes on your car.

If you’re in bed, lay down on your back and put a pillow over your head.

Stay away from buildings if you’re outside. Do not go inside.

Stay inside and don’t run outside if you’re inside. Stay away from the doors.

People say that drop, cover, and hold on is the best way to stay safe during an earthquake.

Officials say, “Get on your knees and hold on to something strong, no matter where you are.” “Make sure the wheels are locked on any wheelchair or walker with a seat, and stay seated until the shaking stops.”

Cover your head and neck with your arms, and if you can, crawl under a strong table. If there is no place to hide, crawl to a wall inside that is not near any windows.

The government says that once you’re under a table, you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with the other.

“After an earthquake, there can be serious risks, such as building damage, gas and water lines that leak, or power lines that fall down,” say officials. You can expect aftershocks to happen after the main shock of an earthquake. If you feel an aftershock, be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.