The magnitude 5.4 earthquake that rocked southern California on July 29 is about 5,000 times smaller than the magnitude 7.8 earthquake depicted in the ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario, a week-long event November 12-16. The goal is to promote earthquake preparedness, and it will include the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history at 10 a.m. on November 13.
This drill will take place at homes, businesses, schools, places of worship and communities across southern California. The ShakeOut is being organized by the Earthquake Country Alliance. This new report is a portrayal of what could happen in a major earthquake on the southern end of the San Andreas Fault. Details can be found at www.ShakeOut.org.
The July 29 earthquake was a “wake-up call— a reminder to us to make the important changes we need to survive the inevitable,” said Dr. Lucy Jones, of the U.S. Geological Survey, who led the group of over 300 experts that detailed the expected consequences of a hypothetical magnitude 7.8 earthquake that starts at the Salton Sea and ruptures northward along the San Andreas fault for 190 miles.
With 22 million people living and working in southern California, a major earthquake in the region could cause an unprecedented catastrophe. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. With large earthquakes an inevitable part of their future, Southern Californians must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes.
With a goal of at least 5 million participants, the ShakeOut drill will be the largest in U.S. history. To participate, go to www.ShakeOut.org/register and pledge your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill, connect with other participants, and encourage a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. There are many ways to take part, but at the least, participants should “drop, cover, and hold on” at 10 a.m. on November 13. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.
For more information, visit www.ShakeOut.org and visit the official ShakeOut Blog at greatsocalshakeout.blogspot.com. For more information, visit www.usgs.gov.
