We all must get better prepared for major earthquakes, and also practice how to protect ourselves when they happen. The purpose of the ShakeOut is to help people and organizations do both.
While the potential earthquake hazards you will experience depend upon your location (see below), everywhere in California is considered at high risk compared to the rest of the country.
We all have reasons that we have, or have not, prepared for earthquakes. The box at lower right suggests reasons why you may choose to participate in the ShakeOut, links to how different groups can participate, and what is happening in your county.
Designed for the original ShakeOut in 2008, the ShakeOut Scenario is a detailed picture of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake along the southern San Andreas fault. The Scenario is also the basis of 2009 ShakeOut activities in Southern California, and is a product of the United States Geological Survey, Multi-Hazard Demonstration Project, led by Dr. Lucy Jones.
Greater San Francisco Bay Area Fault and earthquake maps, shaking hazard maps, liqufaction maps, and other information
United States Geological Survey, Northern California
North Coast Earthquake and Tsunami information
Redwood Coast Tsunami Workgroup
Fault maps, historic earthquakes, how the ground is expected to shake, and much more
California Geological Survey (CGS)
Forecast of California Earthquakes
Southern California Earthquake Center, USGS, and CGS
Earthquake Shaking Potential Map of California (Dec. 2008)
California Geological Survey (CGS)
Maps of recent earthquakes, ShakeMaps for larger earthquakes, email notification, and more
California Integrated Seismic Network
Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards and Mitigation Information
California Emergency Management Agency
Why is it important to do a Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill? As with anything, to react quickly you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake, before strong shaking knocks you down--or drops something on you.
As a registered ShakeOut participant you will:
How you can participate:
Information for your County: