About The Great Southern California ShakeOut
The Great Southern California ShakeOut is a week of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history, organized to inspire Southern Californians to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
An Earthquake Drill for the Record Books
At 10 a.m. on November 13, 2008, millions of southern Californians will Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Why? An enormous earthquake is in our future, and the ShakeOut Drill is our chance to practice what to do when it happens. Individuals, families, businesses, schools and organizations will join firefighters, police officers, and other emergency responders in our largest-ever earthquake preparedness activity. Don’t miss out! Register today to be counted in the drill, get email updates, and much more.
ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario
The Great Southern California ShakeOut is based on a potential magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the southern San Andreas Fault— approximately 5,000 times larger than the magnitude 5.4 earthquake that shook southern California on July 29. It’s not a matter of if an earthquake of this size will happen—but when. And it is possible that it will happen in our lifetime.
Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey has led a group of over 300 scientists, engineers, and others to study the likely consequences of this potential earthquake in great detail. The result is the ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario, which is also the basis of this year’s statewide emergency response exercise, Golden Guardian 2008.
The ShakeOut Scenario estimates this earthquake will cause some 2,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in damage and other losses, and severe, long-lasting disruption. The report has regional implications and is a dramatic call to action for preparedness.
The Great Southern California ShakeOut includes these main events:
- ShakeOut Drill (Nov. 13)
- International Earthquake Conference (Nov. 12-14: Presented by the City of Los Angeles - iec.lacity.org)
- Golden Guardian Emergency Response Exercise (Nov. 13-18: Emergency mangers, fire fighters, and other first responders will practice how they will respond to this large earthquake -
- Los Angeles Earthquake: Get Ready Rally (Nov. 14: designed by Art Center College of Design)
- Take One More Step (Nov. 14-16: community activities to promote additional preparedness.)
Learn What You Can Do
You may find answers to your questions on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
