An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground as a result of movement within the earth’s crust or volcanic action.  Additional earthquakes, called aftershocks, may follow the initial earthquake.  They can cause great destruction as well as trigger landslides and tsunamis.  Earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse, damage utilities, roads and structures (like bridges and dams) or cause fires and explosions.

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More information on earthquakes can be found at the US Geological Survey and Ready.gov websites.