Public invited to learn from experts and experience an earthquake simulator
As families and students venture out for Spring Break, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is reinforcing the importance of staying safe and being prepared for the next disaster, especially an earthquake.
In recognition of Earthquake Preparedness Month in April, starting on April 4, Cal OES is driving across California with an earthquake simulator and experts on hand to provide California communities information on how to be prepared before an earthquake and what to do during and after one.
“We invite families to join us in recognizing Earthquake Safe Spring Break to learn about the tools and resources they need to stay safe,” said Lori Nezhura, Deputy Director of Planning, Preparedness and Prevention. “Having a plan and emergency kit ready, downloading the MyShake App to get an alert before shaking starts, and protecting yourself if you feel shaking are simple, life-saving steps each of us can do to be ready before an earthquake strikes.”
For Californians who have ever wondered what a large magnitude earthquake might feel and look like, the earthquake simulator produces an earthquake-type intensity of about 25 seconds.
Earthquake Safe Spring Break Locations:
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- April 4, 2022: San Diego | Inspiration Point at Balboa Park | 8 a.m.– 1 p.m.
- April 5, 2022: Los Angeles | Union Station at Patsaouras Transit Plaza | 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
- April 7, 2022: Sacramento | State Capitol West Steps | 8 a.m.– 2 p.m.
- April 8, 2022: Berkeley | Lawrence Hall of Science| 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
- April 9, 2022: Salinas | Salinas Regional Soccer Complex | 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
There are many resources available to Californians when preparing for an earthquake. Earthquake Warning California is California’s earthquake warning system, which uses the latest technology, including smartphone applications and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), to provide individuals with an earthquake warning as soon as shaking is detected by ground motion monitoring.
As part of Earthquake Warning California, the MyShake app is a free earthquake warning tool available in the Apple App store and Google Play to provide individuals a few precious seconds to take life-saving actions such as to drop, cover, and hold on before shaking occurs. The MyShake app sends a warning to smartphone users in the nearby area that have installed the app as soon as seismic waves are detected and the data is processed.
Last summer, Cal OES also announced a partnership with Google that includes Earthquake Early Warning technology as a feature included in millions of new Android phones and via software updates in existing Android phones used in California.
Steps to Prepare:
- Participate in Earthquake Warning California, sign up for:
- Government Emergency Alerts
- My Shake App
- Know how to protect yourself during an earthquake
- Drop to the ground, cover your head with your arms, and hold onto your neck until shaking stops.
- Develop an emergency preparedness plan
- Create a customized emergency plan for your specific needs
- Pack an emergency supply kit
- Your emergency kit should address all daily needs
- Understand and mitigate hazards
- Visit myhazards.caloes.ca.gov to learn about local risks and how to prepare your home (including securing furniture, appliances, home fuel systems, and more).
To download the MyShake app and for more earthquake preparedness tips, visit earthquake.ca.gov.