Great Southern California ShakeOut facts for kids
The Great California ShakeOut is a super important yearly earthquake drill in California. It's like a big practice session to help everyone know what to do if a real earthquake happens. California is one of the main places that takes part in the larger Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills movement across the world.
What is the Great California ShakeOut?
This special drill teaches people how to stay safe during an earthquake. It helps families, schools, and businesses get ready. The main idea is to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" This means:
- Drop to the ground.
- Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk.
- Hold On until the shaking stops.
It's a chance for everyone to practice these steps so they become second nature. The ShakeOut also helps communities learn about other ways to prepare. This includes having emergency kits and knowing how to help each other after an earthquake.
How Did It Start?
The very first drill, called The Great Southern California ShakeOut, happened on November 13, 2008. It was the biggest earthquake drill in U.S. history at that time! Over 5.3 million people took part. The Earthquake Country Alliance helped organize this huge event.
This first drill took place in many different places. People practiced at home, at work, at school, and in their communities. There were also special events all week long. These events helped connect people with important information and tools. They learned how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster.
Growing Bigger Every Year
The Great California ShakeOut became an annual event. It now covers the entire state of California. More and more people join in each year!
- In 2009, about 6.9 million people participated.
- In 2010, the drill happened on October 21 and had 7.8 million participants.
- By 2012, 9.4 million people were involved. This was also the first time the drill included California's train and rail systems.
- In 2017, more than 10 million participants joined the ShakeOut!
This growth shows how important it is for everyone to be ready for earthquakes. Practicing together helps keep communities safer.
