The Great ShakeOut at Waterfront Park

There was a whole lot of shaking going on Thursday at San Diego County's Waterfront Park for Great ShakeOut day ─ the yearly event where people learn and practice how to protect themselves from a potential quake.

State emergency officials brought their earthquake simulator to the park to teach about quake preparedness and let people actually feel what a 7.0 magnitude earthquake would be like.

At 10:16 a.m. on 10-16, state officials at the park and potentially 10 million other Californians who registered to take part in the annual earthquake preparedness day practiced their "drop, cover and hold" techniques designed to keep them safe during an actual earthquake. Meanwhile, visitors to the Waterfront Park got the chance to ride the simulator and experience 30 to 40 seconds what we all hope will never happen but what inevitably could ─ a 7.0 temblor ─ the kind of earthquake that can cause serious and widespread damage.

They also got the chance to pick up preparedness materials and learn how to stay safe. Tips included information about the free MyShake earthquake app, which gives people "seconds to 10s of seconds" of early warning before earthquake-shaking starts in their areas. There was also information about buying and using straps for bookcases and putty material to adhere glass items to shelves to protect them from one of the biggest sources of earthquake injuries, flying debris.

For more information about protecting yourself from earthquakes, wildfires and other emergencies, go to AlertSanDiego.org.