The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine is encouraging members of the public to drop, cover and hold for at least a minute on Thursday morning.

From 10:15 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. on Oct. 15, the regional district is taking part in the annual ShakeOut BC earthquake drill, to prepare for major earthquakes.

In the event of 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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