Earthquake Simulator Will Bring Magnitude 7.0 Shaking To LA

LOS ANGELES, CA — An earthquake simulator capable of reproducing the intensity of a magnitude 7.0 temblor will make a stop at UCLA next week as California officials urge residents to prepare for the next major quake.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will bring its shake trailer to Wilson Plaza, south of Kaufman Hall, from 6 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Visitors will be able to experience simulated earthquake shaking and speak with experts about earthquake early-warning technology, emergency preparedness and safety measures such as dropping, covering and holding on.

The UCLA visit will be the third stop on Cal OES’ annual Great California ShakeOut Tour. Other stops include Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego.

“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.

The tour leads into the Great California ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake drill scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.

Cal OES is encouraging residents, schools, businesses and other organizations to participate by practicing how to drop, cover and hold on during an earthquake.

California also operates an earthquake early-warning system designed to provide alerts before strong shaking reaches some users.

People can register for the Oct. 15 drill here.

More information about the earthquake simulator is available here.

City News Service contributed to this report.