Three major factors determine the effect of an earthquake on a building or home and what you experience. First is the earthquake’s magnitude: The stronger the magnitude, the further away the quake’s seismic waves will be felt.

However, the movement experienced during an earthquake doesn’t depend just upon its magnitude. Where you are located in relation to the earthquakes epicenter also has an effect. The farther away you are, the less shaking you feel, since the seismic waves lose energy as they travel through the earth.

The soil underneath and around you also plays a large role in how much of the earthquake you experience. Unlike water, soil is not uniform throughout. The soil content can have a dramatic effect on the way seismic waves travel through the earth. For example, softer, less compact soil can actually increase the forces. More stable soils, such as bedrock or compacted fill, dissipate an earthquake’s energy more quickly.

The insurance industry works closely with actuaries, geologists, meteorologists, structural engineers and computer programmers to study the factors that contribute to the damage experienced during an earthquake.

In recent years, sophisticated catastrophe models dependent on scientific study have emerged as a means of measuring risk and shaping earthquake insurance costs. Using a combination of engineering and science, catastrophe assessment companies create statistical models to determine the extent and type of damage that earthquakes of different magnitudes might cause.

Using this data, the industry also works to mitigate earthquake losses. Making structural retrofits such as bolting a house to its foundation, reinforcing the chimney and strengthening wood-framed walls can help prevent excessive earthquake damage.

Even small retrofits can also prevent large losses. For example, fastening bookcases and cabinets to nearby walls, installing latches on cabinet doors and drawers, securing electronic equipment, artwork and other breakable items to the tops of bookcases and cabinets and applying safety film to windows and doors may all prevent injury and damage in an earthquake.