University of Southern California: ShakeOut gives Trojans a chance to hone their earthquake preparedness skills

Each year since 2008, USC has participated in the Great California ShakeOut. The earthquake drill at USC is meant to prepare students, faculty and staff to know what to do in the event of an earthquake and encourage them to make their homes and offices earthquake safe. This year’s drill — at 10:21 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 — involved a variety of drills and exercises throughout the campuses.

Perhaps the most important takeaway: drop, cover and hold on.

Worldwide, the Great ShakeOut has been coordinated since 2007 by the Southern California Earthquake Center. The center — supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Geological Survey — is home to scientists and engineers focused on earthquake research and is headquartered at USC.