Oregon sits atop the Cascadia Subduction Zone and all University of Oregon campuses could be impacted by a major earthquake on this 620-mile fault. The Great Oregon ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake drill, takes place Oct. 16 and is an opportunity to practice how to protect yourself during an earthquake and prepare for what to do after.
A reminder UO Alert will be sent on Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m. to encourage everyone to drop, cover and hold on for 60 seconds.
Get alerts
Get ready for the Great Oregon ShakeOut by signing up for campus and regional alerts.
Signup for UO Alerts texts to stay up to date with campus emergency information. To sign up, text one of the campus codes (UOEUG, UOPDX, or UOOIMB) to 333111.
Check the settings on your phone to make sure wireless emergency alerts are enabled, which will ensure you can receive both local emergency alerts and earthquake early warning alerts from the ShakeAlert System. You can also download the ShakeAlert-powered MyShake app for earthquake early warning alerts in Oregon, Washington, and California. Learn more about ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning.
Protect yourself in an earthquake
Drop, cover and hold on as soon as you get an earthquake early warning alert or feel earthquake shaking:
- DROP where you are onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if it is nearby.
- COVER your head and neck with both arms and hands. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows, hanging objects and tall furniture).
- HOLD ON to your shelter until shaking stops. Be prepared to move with it if it shifts.
This action is recommended by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the best way to prevent earthquake-related injuries.
ShakeOut events at UO
The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, known as CRESCENT, UO Emergency Management, the Oregon Hazards Lab and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History are partnering to host a series of earthquake safety and science events during ShakeOut week.
- Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Stop by the Drop, Cover and Hold table in the Erb Memorial Union Fishbowl for quick tips, resources and table-top earthquake simulator.
- Oct. 15, noon-1 p.m. – Find out more about types of earthquakes and the damage they can cause, learn how to build your earthquake bag, and sample emergency food at the Earthquake Preparedness Lunch and Learn in the EMU Cedar and Spruce Rooms. Employees can register on MyTrack. No registration is needed for UO students.
- Oct. 16, 10:16 a.m. – Practice drop, cover and hold on.
- Oct. 16, 2 p.m. – Join Kelly Missett from the Oregon Hazards Lab for an earthquake safety Walk and Talk at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
Make a plan
Being ready for an earthquake means you’re better prepared for other emergencies, like when the power goes out during a winter storm. UO employees and students can use code goducks to save 15 percent on Ready4Anything Emergency kits from Redfora.
UO’s Emergency Management website has resources for:
- Making a personal plan including how to prepare for your pets.
- What to include in your emergency supply kit.
- Developing a department or classroom plan.
Learn more about the science of seismic events from the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center and the Oregon Hazards Lab.