Alaska is the most seismically active state in the U.S., home of three of the seven largest earthquakes in the 20th century, including the 9.2-magnitude 1964 Good Friday Earthquake – the second largest ever recorded.
At 10:19 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, as part of Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills being held nationwide, CIRI staff participated in a Drop, Cover, and Hold On exercise.
Taking the proper actions can save lives and reduce the risk of injury. According to the Earthquake Country Alliance, in most earthquake situations, individuals should:
DROP where they are, onto hands and knees
- This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter, if nearby.
COVER their head and neck with one arm and hand
- If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter.
- If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows).
- Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.
HOLD ON until shaking stops
- Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
- No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
“To ensure the health and safety of our employees, participating in earthquake drills is just one way CIRI identifies, assesses and prioritizes potential problems before they occur,” said CIRI’s Pamela Keeler, senior director, Risk Management. “To react quickly during an emergency, you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake. Practicing helps you to be ready to respond.”
For more information about the Great Alaska ShakeOut, visit www.shakeout.org/alaska.
