Los Angeles Earthquake Drill

- Event was called the Great Southern California ShakeOut
- Over 5.2 million people participated
- Lasted for one week
- Last major quake in Southern California was in 1994
- Culminated with a simulated quake on November 13, 2008
- Approximately costs $5 million dollars
- The Great Southern California Shakeout was paid for using federal grants
- Weaknesses were found in 5 area steel high-rise buildingsL.A. Times: Earthquake drill finds weaknesses in steel... (January 2, 2009)

5.2 million people in Southern California participated in an organized earthquake drill. The earthquake preparedness event was called the Great Southern California ShakeOut.Los Angeles Times: Earthquake drill aims to prepare state (November 13, 2008)
Nearly two months after the Great Southern California ShakeOut earthquake drill was held, engineers involved in the earthquake simulation are concerned with weaknesses found in five area high-rise steel buildings. The results of the simulated 7.8 earthquake suggest that the five steel high-rise buildings in question might collapse in an earthquake of that magnitude.L.A. Times: Earthquake drill finds weaknesses in steel... (January 2, 2009)
Simulated Quake

On November 13, 2008, a 7.8 earthquake was simulated at 10:00 a.m. The simulation included the participation of federal agencies and the military. Thousands of people from over 100 local, state and federal agencies in 12 counties in California rehearsed emergency procedures. The event was covered by the program called the Golden Guardian. Governor Arnold Schwazenegger launched the program in 2004, to help prepare for disasters in the state.
The drill included several emergency facilities. At the Providence Holy Cross Medical Center football field. At Charter High school, an earthquake simulator was available for people to experience the feel of an earthquake and search and rescue teams at Caltech practiced extracting people in a maze of cardboard boxes.Communication systems and emergency protocols in California were also tested.
The exercises are expected to cost approximately $5 million, which is paid by federal grants.Los Angeles Times: Earthquake drill aims to prepare state (November 13, 2008)
Steel High-Rise Weakness Quotes
It has huge implications. When these types of buildings collapse, we could have 1,000 people in them. That's something to worry about,—Lucile Jones, U.S. Geological Survey seismologist, chief scientist for the ShakeOut project.
It's hypothetical. Changing building codes is based on forensics, on what we've seen happen. Engineers are not willing to make changes on what people theorize might happen,—Luke Zamperini, principal inspector for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.