Great Arizona Shakeout earthquake drill - drop, cover, hold on

In October 2012, communities throughout Arizona will participate in the first ever Great Arizona Shakeout to become acquainted with the recommended response in event of an earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. 

The Arizona Geological Survey and Arizona Division of Emergency Management are asking state and local authorities and school districts to participate in the ShakeOut event scheduled for 10:18 a.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2012. 

Arizona joins California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington  in hosting an annual ShakeOut event. Last year, more than nine million people participated in ShakeOut events in the western U.S. Our goal with this statewide event is to engage at least 50,000 participants in a two-minute Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill  [Right, historical seismicity in Arizona, 1852-present.   Earthquakes > M=4.0]
 
While communities in Coconino, Mohave, Yavapai and Yuma counties--and to a lesser extent Cochise, Pima and Santa Cruz counties--are at greatest risk from earthquakes, no Arizona community is wholly immune from the shaking and damage that accompanies moderate- to large-magnitude earthquakes.
The Arizona Broadband Seismic Network recorded 131 earthquakes in 2011; most went unfelt. The largest events occurred near Clarkdale in central Arizona and were of magnitudes 3.7 and 3.6.  Faults in Arizona, surrounding states and Mexico are capable of damaging earthquakes up to magnitude 6.5 or 7.0.
The Arizona ShakeOut--like ShakeOuts in neighboring California, Nevada and Utah--is based upon a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill.  This simple 2-minute drill has the potential to save lives and minimize injuries from earthquakes.  The Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill:

ü      Drop to the ground;

ü      Take Cover under a sturdy table or desk if possible and protect your head and neck;

ü      Hold On until the shaking stops.

The Great Arizona ShakeOut provides an opportunity to practice what to do before an earthquake occurs in your community. This two minute commitment can save lives. The ShakeOut is free and open to the public.

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