Utah Holds Annual Great Utah Shakeout Earthquake Drill

Over 920,000 Utahns participate in preparedness exercise to practice 'drop, cover, and hold on'

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:11am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a small town nestled at the base of a towering, fog-shrouded mountain range, conveying a sense of the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.The Great Utah Shakeout earthquake drill reminds residents of the sublime, untamed power of the natural world that surrounds their communities.Salt Lake City Today

On Thursday, people across Utah participated in the 15th annual Great Utah Shakeout, an earthquake preparedness drill where everyone practices the protective action of 'drop, cover, and hold on.' The drill is organized by the Division of Emergency Management and aims to educate residents on how to respond during an earthquake and prepare their homes and families in advance.

Why it matters

Utah is located along the Wasatch Fault Line and is considered at high risk for a major earthquake. The Great Utah Shakeout helps raise awareness about earthquake preparedness and encourages residents to take proactive steps to secure their homes and have an emergency plan in place.

The details

During the drill, participants practiced the recommended safety actions of dropping to the ground, covering their heads, and holding onto sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. Experts also advised Utahns to prepare 72-hour emergency kits, secure furniture and breakables in their homes, and review their family communication plans in case of a disaster.

  • The Great Utah Shakeout has been held annually for the past 15 years.
  • This year's drill took place on Thursday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Bryan Stinson

Public affairs specialist with the Utah Division of Emergency Management.

Genevieve Keys

Public information officer for the Utah Division of Emergency Management.

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What they’re saying

“That's the protective action for what to do during an earthquake. You drop to the ground, because the earthquake might throw you to the ground; cover your head, that's the most important part of our body; and if you can get underneath some kind of cover like a table, even a chair, hold on to that cover until the shaking stops.”

— Bryan Stinson, Public affairs specialist

“If you've heard the saying 'practice makes perfect,' this is a great example of that. The more we practice something, when an emergency happens, we'll be ready to take action and save lives.”

— Genevieve Keys, Public information officer

What’s next

The Division of Emergency Management encourages all Utah residents to review their earthquake preparedness plans and sign up for the Great Utah Shakeout drill next year.

The takeaway

The annual Great Utah Shakeout earthquake drill underscores the importance of preparedness in a state that faces a high risk of seismic activity. By practicing safety protocols and taking proactive steps to secure their homes, Utahns can help protect themselves and their communities in the event of a major earthquake.