CALIFORNIA will hold large scale emergency drills preparing more than 10.4 million people for a magnitude 7 or greater earthquake today.

READY FOR THE BIG ONE: 10.4 million Californians are expected to take part in the drill

USGS

DANGER ZONE: A map showing the major fault lines throughout California

The most powerful quake, measuring 5.7 magnitude, struck Ferndale in southern California.

David Schwartz, geologist for US Geological Survey, said the most worrying fault line passes through the “most densely populated part of the Bay Area”.

More than 7.4 million people live near the Hayward Fault – one of many fault lines experts are concerned about.

“The Bay Area is positioned in the middle of the boundary zone of the North American plate and Pacific plate,” Schwartz said.

“The Bay Area has the highest density of faults per square mile in any urban centre.”

“I think to a degree we’re on borrowed time.”

David Schwartz, geologist for US Geological Survey

Schwartz said since 1906, the region has had an unusually small amount of earthquake activity.

But he added: “I think to a degree we’re on borrowed time.”

“All of these faults haven’t moved in quite a while and have to catch up.

“I think in all probabilities … down the road almost inevitably faults will begin to move again.”

 SHAKEOUT

PRACTICE: An example of the 'Drop, Cover and Hold On' drill

To prepare residents for the worst, Southern California Earthquake Center is holding earthquake drills across the state on October 19.

Schools, colleges, businesses and community groups will practice one-minute "Drop, Cover and Hold On” drills across the state.

Safety experts are recommending that everyone takes part in the Great ShakeOut drill to avoid injury and death in the event of a massive earthquake.

"Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves in an earthquake," said Mark Benthien, Global ShakeOut coordinator at the Southern California Earthquake Center.

“The ongoing fires in Northern California, September's earthquakes in Mexico, and recent hurricanes remind us that we're all in this together.”

USGS

WHOPPER: California has been hit by one major earthquake greater than 7 magnitude this centuy

An earthquake drill, response exercise, press conference, and demonstration area will take place at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles' Expo Park.

"The Great California ShakeOut is such an important opportunity for us all to practice what to do the instant the ground starts to shake – Drop, Cover and Hold On," said Glenn Pomeroy, CEO of the California Earthquake Authority.

“This simple drill can help save lives when we get hit by the next big earthquake that scientists assure us is coming.”

More than 54.9 million worldwide have registered to take part in Great Sahek Out Earthquake Drills in 2017. 

Of those, 20 million will participate in the drills on Octover 19, with 2.6 million in central US, 273,000 in north east US and 1.9million in south east US. 

In California, 10.4 million people across the US state have registered for the drill to date, according to the Shake Out website.

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