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Prepare to drop, cover and hold on this Thursday

Annual Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill set for 10:21 a.m. Oct. 21, 2021
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According to ShakeOutBC.ca, more than 3,000 earthquakes occur in the province each year and the risk of one occurring that is big enough to cause significant damage is real. (Black Press Media file photo)

The province is encouraging the public to drop, cover and hold on for at least a minute on Thursday morning.

The Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill is scheduled for 10:21 a.m., on Oct. 21 this year, and participants in homes, schools and businesses will be practicing what to do in the event of a major earthquake.

During an earthquake, it is important to immediately protect yourself no matter where you are. That usually means dropping to the ground, taking cover under a sturdy desk or table and holding on until shaking stops. ShakeOut BC says that people are more likely to be injured by falling debris than a building actually collapsing, so people should not run outside.

According to PreparedBC, the chance of a major, damaging earthquake happening in B.C. in the next 50 years is one in three.

Despite being more inland than other cities like Prince Rupert, Terrace is susceptible to the impact of earthquakes. On Aug. 21, 1949, there was a 8.1 magnitude earthquake on the Queen Charlotte fault along the west coast of Haida Gwaii. According to Natural Resources Canada, cars in Terrace bounced around and standing in the street was described as “like being on the heaving deck of a ship at sea.”

For more information on what to do in the event of an earthquake visit shakeoutbc.ca or consult PreparedBC’s earthquake and tsunami guide.

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