FP here, I hope this question is OK for this sub. I live on the northern part of the San Andreas fault, a right-lateral strike-slip#Strike-slip_faults) fault. My question is, if a larger earthquake hits, will it start with a huge single jolt, or will it be a longer series of medium-strength jolts that last for > 10 seconds. IF it's a long series, that might give me time to get to the front door of my house, so, should I run outside, keeping an eye on power lines and such, or get under a table?

About the house: redwood frame, built around 1906 (not sure if it was before or after the famous earthquake from that period). 3 stories, i live on the 2nd and third. I'm in a medium density urban environment with a slightly larger building about 20 meters outside my front door. Street is heavily lined with utility poles with lots of electric cables.

My experience since I moved here 11 years ago - I have felt many earthquakes, some centered very close to my house ( /- 2 km) but never for anything larger than a 4.5. They are generally preceded by a strange rumbling sound (very disconcerting), then a single big jolt, the larger ones feel like a car ran off the road and slammed into the house. I think there was one, just one, that had a couple medium sized jolts but almost all of them, I only feel one.

Given all that, I wonder if a 6 one hits, if I'll have time to move my body somewhere, and wonder where should I move my body to? There are brick stairs outside my door, and there is a central chimney in the living room (not functional) There's an attached garage, I know the room over the garage is the worst place to be, but where is the best?