FILE: Damaged building in Springdale, Utah from the 1992 M5.9 earthquake in St. George. (earthquakes.utah.gov)
SALT LAKE CITY — The annual Great Utah Shake Out is today, Thursday, April 20. Will you participate?
It’s a statewide earthquake drill where Utahns are encouraged to practice what to do in the event of a large earthquake.
Tune in at 9:50!
The Great Utah Shake Out is a multi-pronged approach designed by the Utah Department of Public Safety for residents, as well as the emergency response systems that fly into action when the ground below our feet suddenly starts to shake.
For cities across the state, that means testing their emergency communications systems.
Residents are asked to practice an easy method to stay safe during an earthquake — dropping to your hands and knees, covering your head and neck, and holding onto table legs until the pretend shaking stops.
Nearly everybody in Utah (90% of us) lives in an active earthquake zone according to the department’s website. Along with cities, companies, and individuals, schools across Utah will also be taking part in the annual earthquake drill.
See photos from past earthquakes, learn more about Utah’s geology, and find more preparedness resources at earthquakes.utah.gov.