MAE O’MALLEY / NEWS WRITER

The sound of piano keys interrupted classes on Oct. 15, leaving some professors, students and faculty wondering whose phone alarm was going off. Others quickly recognized the sound as a signal for the Great California ShakeOut: an annual earthquake drill, occurring every October.

Created by the Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA) in 2008, the drill was designed to prepare state residents for a seismic event. The initiative promotes the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” strategy during an earthquake. The ECA was created to encourage resilience and preparation for California residents in the event of earthquakes or tsunamis and aims to translate scientific language from seismologists into layman’s terms, so the general public can better understand the risks and effects of natural disasters.

At USD, Toreros were spread out across campus and San Diego when the alarm sounded. Some students were in class, including USD senior Julie Garabet.

“I was in Knauss during the drill and we were taking an exam so the screen was off,” Garabet said. “Then we found out what was happening and I was really confused, but [my professor] told us what to do. In Arizona we do fire drills and regular drills like that but never earthquake drills.”

Forty states are represented on USD’s campus and 56% of the 2026-27 first-year class is from California. Schools statewide are legally required to practice emergency drills, including those for earthquake preparedness, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

Some students, particularly native Californians, are used to earthquake drills. USD senior Anna Jackson grew up in Palm Desert, Calif. where natural disaster drills are a common practice.

“My high school is right on the fault line in the desert,” Jackson said. “We had these drills all the time in high school but I’ve never heard of a college doing it.”

Earthquakes are caused by tension between tectonic plates. When the tension builds, the rocks beneath the earth’s surface will slip or crack, causing ground movement that can range from mild to severely damaging. California’s unique location between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate is what leaves the state so prone to seismic activity. The state also sits on multiple fault lines, most notably the San Andreas Fault, which runs throughout the majority of the state.

The ECA recommends dropping to the ground under a table, covering your head and neck and waiting until the shaking stops. Researchers have proven this to be the most effective way to prevent injuries, according to the organization.

“This is a test of the University of San Diego’s Emergency Notification System which is being done in conjunction with the Great California ShakeOut,” the voicemail and email both said. “If this were an actual emergency you would be notified of additional actions to be taken. This is only a test.”

The university sent out the same email during the drills in 2024 and 2025.

DPS’s email also included sources outlining earthquake safety policies. The USD website discusses preventative measures, preparation tactics and what to expect after an earthquake, including aftershocks.

Those indoors should follow the drop, cover and hold on protocol. Students in labs should exit into the hallway. Those outdoors should try to get into as much open space as possible; standing near buildings increases the risk of falling debris and flying objects. Anyone driving should stop as soon as it is safe and wait inside their vehicle.

The ECA also includes accessibility options for those who may use a cane, wheelchair or walker. The main objective is to cover your head and neck with anything nearby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention debunked rumors that hiding under a doorway is a best practice during an earthquake, claiming that a doorway is no sturdier than anywhere else inside a building.

“Residence halls are subject to applicable building safety requirements, and Residential Life staff provide students with information about safety procedures and emergency preparedness,” said a USD spokesperson. “Our dorm rooms are equipped with heavy-duty furniture, such as sturdy desks, designed to provide immediate cover during a seismic event. Students should also familiarize themselves with their surroundings, identify potential hazards, and know their building’s evacuation routes and designated assembly areas.”

San Diego State University also sent email and text notifications encouraging students to practice safety protocols for emergencies at the time that the drill took place. The University of California, San Diego held an event that participants could sign up for to prepare for various drills.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department also lists tips for earthquakes on their website. Preventative measures include identifying safe spaces under sturdy tables or furniture, having a disaster supplies kit on hand and bolting any heavy furniture that could potentially fall.

Whether or not the next earthquake is felt on campus, the ECA’s advice stays the same: drop, cover and hold on.

Carlsbad Fire crew participated in the Great California ShakeOut. Photo courtesy of @carlsbadfiredepartment/ Instagram