The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) brought a high-tech earthquake simulator to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on Wednesday, Oct. 14. This machine can reproduce shaking up to a magnitude 7.0. The event was part of a statewide tour organized to improve earthquake preparedness before the annual Great California ShakeOut.
Operating at Wilson Plaza, just south of Kaufman Hall, the simulator welcomed students, staff, and members of the public from 6 a.m. to noon. Visitors stepped inside to experience realistic seismic shaking. Meanwhile, emergency preparedness experts provided guidance on earthquake early-warning technology and critical protective actions.
The Statewide Great California ShakeOut Tour Route
The UCLA visit marked the third stop on a four-city tour designed by Cal OES to engage communities across different regions. The statewide awareness campaign followed this schedule:
- Monday, Oct. 12: San Francisco State University (Quad near J. Paul Leonard Library)
- Tuesday, Oct. 13: Sacramento State (Near the Hornet Bookstore)
- Wednesday, Oct. 14: UCLA (Wilson Plaza south of Kaufman Hall)
- Thursday, Oct. 15: San Diego at Balboa Park (North of Plaza de Panama Fountain)
Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs emphasized the critical reality facing residents regarding seismic safety.
“In California, the question isn’t whether the next earthquake will strike, but when. That’s why we’re committed to reaching communities across the state with the tools and information they need to protect their families before disaster hits,” Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs said in a statement.
Preparing for the Great California ShakeOut
The multi-city tour directly preceded the Great California ShakeOut, a massive annual earthquake drill scheduled statewide at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15. Millions of Californians participate in the drill to practice life-saving actions. These actions include dropping to the ground, taking cover under sturdy furniture, and holding on until shaking stops.
State emergency officials also used the UCLA demonstration to highlight California’s first-in-the-nation earthquake early-warning system. This technology uses a network of sensors to detect seismic activity. It sends alerts to mobile devices moments before strong shaking arrives, giving residents precious seconds to secure themselves.
Participants at the Wilson Plaza exhibit received educational literature. These materials detailed how to build emergency kits, secure heavy household furniture to walls, and create family communication plans. Individuals and organizations can register their participation and access planning resources at ShakeOut.org.
