What the Great Shakeout 2017 Was and Why It Matters
The Great Shakeout 2017 was a major annual earthquake drill that took place on October 19, 2017, organized to help individuals, organizations, and communities practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On. It built on years of public preparedness campaigns and involved millions of participants across multiple countries, reinforcing procedural memory for responding to real earthquakes. Unlike a single event with a specific location, the Shakeout is a recurring international exercise designed to normalize readiness and improve real-world response at scale.
Context: Earthquake Drills Before 2017
Before 2017, earthquake preparedness exercises were already established in many regions, particularly in high-risk zones such as California, Japan, and Mexico. However, these drills were often fragmented, varying in scope, participation metrics, and public awareness. The Great Shakeout emerged as a unified framework to standardize messaging, simplify instructions, and provide a measurable way to track engagement over time.
The 2008 Origin Point
The first official Great Shakeout began as a small-scale California initiative in 2008, quickly expanding as agencies recognized the value of consistent, large-scale practice. By 2017, the model had been replicated across the United States and adapted internationally, demonstrating a growing recognition of the need for routine, accessible earthquake preparedness.
Key Details of the 2017 Shakeout
On October 19, 2017, registration records indicate that over 36 million people participated globally, with millions more indirectly engaged through media coverage and organizational coordination. The drill was integrated into school curricula, workplace safety programs, and community outreach, highlighting the event’s role in embedding preparedness into everyday routines.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date | October 19, 2017 | Official registration and announcements |
| Participation Estimate | 36 million registered participants globally | Organizer reports and public summaries |
| Primary Focus | Practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On | Drill guidelines and post-event reviews |
| Core Message | Earthquakes can happen anywhere; preparation is practical | Public communications archives |
How the Drill Works: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
The core instruction remained consistent: Drop to the ground, take Cover under a sturdy piece of furniture if possible, and Hold On until the shaking stops. This sequence aims to protect people from falling objects and collapse, which are the leading causes of earthquake injuries. In 2017, organizers emphasized that doorway formations were no longer recommended, correcting outdated guidance and reducing confusion during actual events.
Prepare. Practice. Protect.
The 2017 campaign reinforced a simple preparation checklist for households and businesses: create an emergency plan, assemble a kit with water, food, medicine, and flashlights, and secure heavy furniture and appliances. Local agencies used the Shakeout to test communication systems, evacuation routes, and first-responder coordination, turning a single day of practice into an ongoing framework for safer infrastructure and policies.
After the Shakeout: Measuring Lasting Impact
Because the Shakeout is a recurring exercise, its long-term value is measured less in immediate headlines and more in incremental improvements in response times, reduced hesitation during real quakes, and increased adoption of building and policy standards. The 2017 edition helped highlight gaps in regional preparedness, encouraged broader employer participation, and motivated communities to invest in early-warning systems where available.
Integrating the Shakeout Into Everyday Safety
For organizations, the Great Shakeout 2017 demonstrated how regular, low-cost drills can complement more complex emergency plans. Schools incorporated earthquake modules into science and health classes, while businesses linked Shakeout participation to broader resilience strategies, including data backup, supply-chain continuity, and clear leadership protocols during sudden disruptions.