Join the Great ShakeOut on Oct. 15!

On March 27, 1964, the ground beneath Southcentral Alaska shook for nearly five minutes. The magnitude 9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake remains the largest ever recorded in the United States and the second largest in the world. It reshaped coastlines, triggered devastating tsunamis and claimed about 130 lives. More recently, on Nov. 30, 2018, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck just north of Anchorage, damaging roads and hundreds of homes and buildings.

These events are a reminder that Alaska is the most seismically active state in the nation. We experience tens of thousands of earthquakes each year and more large earthquakes than the other 49 states combined. Most are too small to feel, but the next big one is a matter of when, not if. That's why practicing what to do matters.

This year's International ShakeOut Day is Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, when millions of people around the world will practice earthquake drills at work, school and home. At 10:15 a.m., we invite you to join the global drill and practice Drop, Cover and Hold On:

• DROP onto your hands and knees wherever you are. This position keeps you from being knocked down and lets you move if needed.
• COVER your head and neck with one arm. If a sturdy desk or table is nearby, crawl underneath it. If not, get down next to an interior wall, away from windows, shelves and anything that could fall.
• HOLD ON to your shelter, or keep covering your head and neck, until the shaking stops.

If you use a wheelchair or walker, lock your wheels or sit down, bend forward, and cover your head and neck. During a real earthquake, don't run outside or stand in a doorway, since both can increase your risk of injury.

During the drill, please move carefully and at a comfortable pace. The goal is to build muscle memory, not speed. It only takes a minute, and knowing what to do when the shaking starts can make all the difference.

Can't make it at that time? No problem! You can register your ShakeOut drill for any day of the year and choose a time that works best for you. Drills can even include people in multiple locations through videoconferencing.

Thank you for helping keep our campus community safe and prepared!

-UAA Environmental Health and Safety