Do Martians worry about natural disasters? They should! Scientists have reason to believe earthquakes, or “marsquakes,” are taking place on the red planet. According to a Time Magazine report, ultra high resolution photos from a British satellite captured the misplacement of large boulders on Mars. Scientists studied approximately one-thousand boulders, with evidence suggesting that hundreds have moved. This type of change on Earth’s surface would signify an earthquake.

It’s still unknown how large these marsquakes are, but Martians (and Earthlings) should follow these simple steps to stay safe in the event of a quake:

Personal Safety

If outside when shaking begins:

• Drop to the ground and stay there until shaking stops
• If in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location until shaking stops
• If a power line falls onto your vehicle, do not get out; wait for assistance
• If near a mountainous area, be alert for falling rocks and debris

If inside when shaking begins:

• Drop, cover, and hold on; move as little as possible
• If you are in bed, stay there, and protect your head with a pillow
• Stay away from windows
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and use stairs when it is safe to exit

Organization/Business Safety

Follow these steps to prepare your organization or business for an earthquake:

• Identify and address potential hazards
• Create a disaster plan
• Prepare disaster supply kits
• Identify your building's potential weaknesses
• Protect yourself and employees during earthquake shaking—Drop, Cover, and Hold ON
• After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage
• When save, continue to follow your disaster plan

After an Earthquake

After an earthquake, there can be aftershocks and potential for another form of disaster. If you feel an aftershock, drop, cover, and hold on. Once all shaking stops, check for injuries, and put on long sleeves, pants, and protective gear (gloves, boots, etc.) to protect yourself from broken objects. Check for all hazards before clean-up, and then begin recovery. Listen to a portable radio for updated information. Remember, only use landline phones and wireless voice communication for emergencies. If possible, use wireless internet through your smartphone to access social media sites to alert loved ones that you’re safe.