<p>This is my particular area of expertise(I’m actually quoted in one of the DT articles!). The LA river basin, of which USC is a part, is actually not in quite as much danger as other parts of Southern California. A simple way to understand this is to look at the landscape. USC is in a rather flat area, while anywhere where there are hills or mountains (like La Canada, where I’m originally from), there is greater seismic activity. While there are some fault lines around USC, they aren’t the ones people discuss when the are referring to “The Big One” (for which we are about 20 years overdue). That Earthquake would probably be on the San Andreas fault, which is North of campus. While there would certainly still be shaking around campus, it wouldn’t be the epicenter of the earthquake. As was previously mentioned, social unrest would probably be the biggest problem. DPS should handle that pretty well. As for what you, as a student can do to prepare, I would suggest always having a flashlight somewhere near your bed, and making sure that there aren’t too many heavy, unsecured things in the area. The buildings at USC are all mainly up to code, but that doesn’t guarantee that what people bring inside of them is. Things such as computers and TVs flying around are possible. The technical thing to do when an earthquake occurs is to get under a table, bed, or desk and cover your neck with your hands. How much your hands will help is debatable, but getting under things is helpful. One commonly thought thing that is WRONG is to get under a doorway. Don’t! It only helps in a reinforced way if it is the doorway to outside, and you are far more likely to break a few fingers when the door forcibly shuts itself with your hand in the way.</p>