Montana ShakeOut drill set for Wednesday

The second annual Great Montana ShakeOut Earthquake drill is set for 10:22 a.m. Wednesday.

According to an American Red Cross of Montana press release, “Montanans will practice the earthquake safety technique that is widely regarded as one of the best ways to protect against injury during major earthquakes.”

Participants can take part in the ShakeOut drill wherever they find themselves Wednesday — at home, at work or while traveling.

Here is what people are asked to do under “Drop, Cover and Hold On:”

•Drop to the ground,

•Take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and cover your head and neck.

•Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared for aftershocks.

As of now, more than 150,000 Montana residents have registered for this year’s drill.

“The Montana ShakeOut is a great and simple way to prepare for earthquakes. These three steps — Drop, Cover, and Hold on — can save lives if the ground starts shaking,” Gov. Steve Bullock said in the release. “The ShakeOut is one day a year when multiple groups across the state — schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, even state agencies — are simultaneously participating in an earthquake drill. The widespread involvement is a testament to how much we value safety and preparedness in Montana.”

Michael C. Stickney, the director of the earthquake studies office for the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, said Thursday that the ShakeOut drill is important to participate in because Montana is a high-hazard state in terms of earthquakes.

“We live in earthquake country, some of us more so than others,” he said.

Stickney said that Montana is prone to earthquakes.

“We have a long history of large earthquakes in western Montana.”

The Hi-Line is generally less active than other parts of Montana, however, “as you get closer to Shelby, there are small earthquakes that occur,” Stickney said.

For more information on the Great Montana ShakeOut and a list of those who are participating, visit http://www.shakeout.org/montana.

What to do during the ShakeOut

At 10:22 a.m. Wednesday, Montanans are urged to practice earthquake safety by:

• Dropping to the ground,

• Taking cover under a sturdy desk or table and covering their head, and

• Holding onto the shelter ­— until the shaking stops, and being prepared for aftershocks, in a real earthquake.