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Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills

The 2026 International ShakeOut Day is October 15, and more 18 million people across the United States, and many more worldwide, are expected to participate! 

If you are not able to participate on ShakeOut day, that's totally fine – you can register to hold your drill on any day of the year, and at any time.

Important guidance for your participation:

1. If you are already registered, please do not login to your ShakeOut profile on October 15.
   
   This is not necessary and will limit access for people trying to register. There are no activities or actions to complete on the website on ShakeOut day.
    

2. Questions about how to participate?
   
   Visit ShakeOut.org/faq for answers to many questions, and shakeout.org/howtoparticipate for suggestions, drill manuals, and resources for each ShakeOut participation category.
   
   There is nowhere you need to go to participate – everyone should practice earthquake self-protection wherever they are – at home, work, or school. There is no webinar or online activity to join.  Please do not login to the website on ShakeOut day to participate.
   
   Read the previous ShakeOut Update for guidance for how to plan a great drill, ShakeOut graphics for social media, and other resources
    

3. When to start and stop your drill:
   
   ShakeOut will not send any alert, email, or text for when to begin your drill. While many participants will participate at 10:15 a.m. on October 15, this is not required and many people and organizations hold their drills at other times or other days. You or others involved in your drill can set reminder alarms on cell phones or clocks for the time you choose. Most basic earthquake safety drills last 1-2 minutes, but you can also include other aspects of your emergency plans.
   
   (See below to learn about the test alert of the MyShake earthquake early warning app below, which you may receive shortly after 10:15 a.m. if you have the app installed.)
    

4. Certificates of participation:
   
   Visit www.ShakeOut.org/certificates to download and customize your Great ShakeOut Certificate of Participation.

Scroll down to learn more:

• Earthquake safety guidance resources, in multiple languages

• Special activity for amateur radio operators

This graphic has key earthquake safety guidance, including for people who use mobility assistance devices. It is now available in 18 languages, including each individual row.

For guidance on these actions and for many other situations, download our Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions guide, also available in multiple languages along with many other documents.