What should I do during an earthquake? Stay calm and expect an earthquake to last for a few seconds up to a few minutes.  Drop : Drop down onto your hands and knees (before the earthquake knocks you down). This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary. Cover: Cover your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, only then should you get down near an interior wall (or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you), and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands. Hold On :Hold on to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around. When driving, stop safely as soon as possible.  Stay in the vehicle until shaking stops.  Do not stop vehicles under overpasses or on bridges.