Tomorrow, the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno will literally sound all the bells and whistles for the Great ÁùºÏ±¦µä ShakeOut. At 10:19 a.m. on Oct. 19, sirens will sound all across campus, text messages and computer alerts will be sent out reminding everyone about the annual earthquake drill. Then, students will have the chance to win a party for their class.
Students on campus will have a chance to win free food after the ShakeOut. Any student who uses the hashtag #ShakeOutPizza on a picture posted to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram that shows their class participating by taking cover under their desks in the ShakeOut will have the chance to win a pizza or donut party for their class. Students are encouraged to wait until the drill is over to take a picture, as one would wait until shaking stops during an actual earthquake to take pictures.
Take the time in your classroom, office or other campus location to "drop, cover and hold on" at 10:19 a.m. on 10/19 or when you receive notification via the test on the various channels of the emergency communication systems on campus.
You may see a text message and email about the earthquake drill and what to do, and the University's public address system with a loud siren will sound on the Reno main campus. Notifications will also be posted on Facebook and Twitter, the Police Services emergency AM radio station (AM 1670) and a scrolling banner will appear on public campus computers.
Since 2010 the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno has encouraged ÁùºÏ±¦µäns to Drop, Cover and Hold On as part of the state and international campaign for earthquake safety and preparedness. The University will be activating their emergency alert systems, including sirens so those in the area should not be alarmed, but they should practice what to do during an earthquake.
Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the technique promoted by the Great ÁùºÏ±¦µä ShakeOut as the safest way to protect yourself during an earthquake. In the event of an earthquake, people are encouraged to drop to their knees wherever they are, then use one arm to protect the head and neck while using the other hand to hold onto a sturdy table or desk that you are underneath. If a person cannot find something sturdy to hold on to, they should try to get close to an interior wall, and use both arms to protect your head and neck.
According to the's website, "everyone in ÁùºÏ±¦µä lives no more than several miles from an earthquake fault," which means that everybody in ÁùºÏ±¦µä is in danger of being caught in an earthquake. Also, in Reno there are two major fault lines capable of a 7.0 or greater earthquake. A 7.0 earthquake can cause severe damage.
"ÁùºÏ±¦µäns need to realize they live in earthquake country," Graham Kent, ÁùºÏ±¦µä Seismological Laboratory director and coordinator of the Great ÁùºÏ±¦µä ShakeOut, said.
"Whatever you do, don't run out of a building, that could be the most dangerous thing, with windows shattering, glass falling, or building materials coming crashing to the ground," Annie Kell, outreach coordinator for the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Seismological Lab, said. "Not to mention in a violent earthquake you can be thrown to the ground and injured."
The Great ÁùºÏ±¦µä ShakeOut is one part of the University's efforts to promote earthquake safety and emergency preparedness. The #ShakeOutPizza promotion is open to all University students and they are encouraged to enter following the annual drill. For more information, visit
