WORLDWIDE — Millions of people across the globe are preparing to participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill this week. International ShakeOut Day is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025, with participants practicing the life-saving “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique simultaneously at 10:16 a.m. local time.
As of this week, over 23 million people worldwide are already registered to take part in the 2025 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, though registration numbers are expected to climb before Thursday. This figure follows a massive turnout in 2024, when nearly 20 million people in the U.S. and approximately 57 million globally participated, according to data from ShakeOut.org.
The Essential Drill: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
The primary goal of the annual drill is to ensure that communities know how to respond quickly and safely in the event of an earthquake. Emergency officials and first responders endorse the simple, three-step action as the most effective way to protect oneself during ground shaking:
- DROP to the ground where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked down.
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows) and cover your head and neck with one arm.
- HOLD ON to your shelter (or your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If your shelter moves, be ready to move with it.
Experts caution against running outside, standing in doorways, or attempting to move long distances, as most earthquake-related injuries result from falling objects, debris, and flying glass.
Promoting Broader Preparedness
While practicing the drill is the core focus, ShakeOut organizers encourage individuals, families, schools, and organizations to use the day as a reminder to take additional preparedness steps. These may include:
- Securing movable items, such as bookshelves and equipment, that could fall and cause injury.
- Reviewing family and workplace emergency plans.
- Checking and stocking emergency supply kits for homes and vehicles.
Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the event has grown exponentially since it began in Southern California in 2008, expanding into a global movement that fosters resilience against earthquake hazards. Participation in the drill is free, and registration is still open for organizations and individuals on the official ShakeOut.org website.
