CNN iReport

a massive earthquake drill at 10 AM on November 13, 2008.

video by Chris Morrow and from the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park - San Diego - California.

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With 22 million people living and working in southern California, a major earthquake in the region could cause an unprecedented catastrophe. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine

what our lives will be like after. With earthquakes an inevitable part

of southern California's future, Californians must act quickly to

ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes. With this in mind,

the Earthquake Country Alliance has organized the Great Southern

California ShakeOut, a week of special events featuring a massive

earthquake drill at 10 AM on  November 13, 2008.

The ShakeOut drill centers on the ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario, a

realistic portrayal of what could happen in a major earthquake on the

southern end of the San Andreas Fault. Created by over 300 experts led by Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey, the scenario outlines a hypothetical 7.8 magnitude earthquake originating near the Salton Sea, which would have the potential to devastate the region.

While earthquakes cannot be predicted or prevented, steps can be taken to prepare in order to make a difference in how our lives will be after an earthquake. Secure your space by strapping top-heavy

furniture, water heaters, and other items to walls or tabletops.

Strengthen your buildings walls and foundation if necessary. Of

course, it is important to have resources to protect yourself and

others should assistance be slow in arriving. Three to 14 days worth

of water for each person, non-perishable food, and a fire

extinguisher, among other supplies, can be valuable resources to have

stored and ready for such a disaster.

With a goal of at least 5 million participants, the ShakeOut drill

was the largest in U.S. history.

ShakeOut is concurrent with Golden Guardian 2008, the nation's largest

state sponsored emergency response exercise, involving 5,000

participants from dozens of state, local, and federal agencies.