What should you do during an earthquake? Published Sept. 25, 2014 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- In the last year, Oklahoma experienced more than 1,300 earthquakes. "Whether or not you feel them depends on a variety of factors," said Senior Airman Joshua Daggett, a 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron emergency management journeyman. "Things like distance from the epicenter, the depth at which the earthquake occurred and the local geology play a big factor in whether or not you will feel them. Oklahoma is mostly granite and hard rock, so the affects can be felt at long distances." September is National Preparedness month and knowing what to do during an earthquake is crucial to preparedness. "The rule of thumb is to stay where you are," said Staff Sgt. Jerry Bailey, the 71st LRS NCO in-charge of plans and operations. "If you're inside you will want to find something sturdy -- like a desk. This limits the danger of objects like light fixtures falling on you. After the quake is over, you should head outside in case the building has become structurally unsafe." If traveling in a vehicle, stop immediately and avoid overpasses. Do not exit the vehicle. "People are often injured when they try to get out of their cars during an earthquake because they fall while they try to get out," said Bailey. "It's better to just wait it out." If you get caught outside during an earthquake it's best to get down and wait for it to end, said Bailey. Earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates rubbing together. "The tectonic plates we live on are constantly moving albeit, at the rate a human finger nail grows," said Senior Airman Zack Paskovitch, a 71st LRS emergency management journeyman. "Imagine pool toys slowly around floating in a pool. When they touch each other that will cause ripples, which is similar to how tectonic plates affect the earth when they touch."