U.S. Department of the InteriorOffice of the Secretary - U.S. Department of the Interior - www.doi.gov - Media Advisory
Date: Nov. 12, 2008
Contact: Joan Moody (DOI)
202-208-6416

Secretary Kempthorne to Join Gov. Schwarzenegger, Other Leaders for Great Southern California Shakeout Earthquake Drill

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will join California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S. Geological Survey Director Mark Myers and other leaders in participating in the The Great Southern California Shakeout tomorrow - the largest earthquake preparedness drill in United States history. In addition to participating in a press conference with the Governor and drill activities at a school and hospital during the day Thursday, Kempthorne will give the keynote address at the Los Angeles International Earthquake Conference dinner in the evening.

The USGS, an agency of the Department of the Interior, led a multi-disciplinary team of more than 300 experts from academia and industry, public and private sectors to develop the ShakeOut Scenario and communicate it to emergency managers and the general public.

The ShakeOut science scenario depicts a magnitude 7.8 earthquake striking the Southern San Andreas Fault, starting at the Salton Sea and rupturing northward 190 miles. In the scenario, the earthquake would kill 1800 people, injure 50,000, cause $200 billion in damage, and have long-lasting social and economic consequences. This is the most comprehensive analysis ever of what a major Southern California earthquake would mean and is being used as the basis for the preparedness drill (see more info at www.usgs.gov/shakeout and www.shakeout.org).

SECRETARY KEMPTHORNE'S SHAKEOUT SCHEDULE (Events Open to Media)

10:00 - 10:45 a.m. Shakeout Exercise, Observation, and Photo Opportunities,
Stevenson Elementary School, 3333 Oak Street, Burbank, CA 91505
The Secretary will be in a classroom with students when the fictional 'earthquake' occurs. He will participate in the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On," evacuation and triage.
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Tour Caltech/USGS "Seismolab" and Visit with Scientists
Caltech/USGS Seismolab, 365 South Mudd, Pasadena, CA 91345
The Secretary will tour the seismolab, meet with scientists and view a "shake map" and "shake movie," types of media produced immediately after an earthquake.
2:00- 3:30 p.m. Tour of Holy Cross Triage Center and Press Conference with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Holy Cross Hospital, 15031 Rinaldi, Mission Hills, CA 91345. The Secretary will tour a triage facility located on a high school football field next to the hospital and then speak at a press conference with Governor Schwarzenegger at the 40 yd line of the field.
7:45 - 8:05 p.m. Keynote Remarks at the Los Angeles International Earthquake Conference Dinner
Omni Hotel, 251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
 
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