Seismic Surge Spurs Pasadena’s 16th Annual ShakeOut Drill Preparations

As the threat of earthquakes looms ever-present in a Southern California which has felt rising seismic activity in recent months, Pasadena is gearing up for its yearly wake-up call to disaster preparedness.

On October 17, 2024, at precisely 10:17 a.m., the residents and city officials will join millions of people across the state in the Great California ShakeOut Drill. For 10 minutes, Pasadenans from all walks of life will practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” — a technique experts say could save lives when the ground begins to tremble.

“You could be anywhere when an earthquake strikes,” said Lisa Derderian, Public Information Officer, underscoring the drill’s importance. “At home, at work, at school, or on vacation.”

“The purpose of the drill is to make sure everyone is prepared,” Derderian said.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) database indicates a 97.45 percent chance of a major earthquake occurring within 30 miles of Pasadena in the next 50 years.

“It will happen,” Dr. Egill Hauksson, Caltech Seismologist and Research Professor of Geophysics, said recently. “We know that it will occur because the Pacific and North America Plates keep moving past each other at a steady speed.”

This looming threat is the impetus behind California’s annual ShakeOut event, aimed at preparing residents for the inevitable “Big One.”

Participation in the ShakeOut Drill is open to all Pasadena residents and businesses. It focuses on practicing the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique, recommended as the most effective response to earthquake shaking.

Pasadena Public Library branches will serve as key locations for community participation and information dissemination during the event.

Derderian stressed the importance of personal preparedness.

“Although residents and businesses need to take personal responsibility. City resources will be overwhelmed after a large earthquake when our neighboring jurisdictions likely will not be able to help us because they’ll be impacted, too.”

For the drill, the City’s Emergency Management Office is coordinating with various departments, including the Fire department, which conducts year-round trainings for major events like earthquakes. This collaborative approach extends to long-term preparedness efforts, including the ongoing seismic retrofitting of key infrastructure such as the Central Library.

Libraries play a crucial role in the city’s preparedness strategy, offering workshops, seminars, and access to materials on earthquake safety. They also serve as community hubs for support and resources following disasters.

Derderian offered specific safety advice.

“Ground shaking during an earthquake is seldom the cause of injury. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused by collapsing walls and roofs, flying glass and falling objects,” she said, adding “It is extremely important for a person to move as little as possible to reach the place of safety he or she has identified because most injuries occur when people try to move more than a short distance during the shaking.”

The ShakeOut Drill has grown to include millions of participants worldwide. It is an important component of Pasadena’s broader strategy to build community readiness in the face of potential natural disasters, with most seismic expets agreeng a large earthquake is bound to occur.

“We encourage the community to practice often so that you may react quickly,” Derderian said.

Individuals, schools, and organizations in Pasadena can register for the ShakeOut drill at the official website,  www.shakeout.org/california/.