Be Prepared for This Year’s Great Utah ShakeOut Slated for April 16!
28 March 2026

Did you know that since the Utah Pioneer’s arrived in the Utah Territory in 1847, 17 earthquakes greater than magnitude (M) 5.5 have occurred, and geologic investigations of our region’s faults indicate a long history of repeated large earthquakes of M6.6 and greater prior to Utah’s settlement. This is one of the major reasons the Great Utah ShakeOut was first organized in 2012 and has been held every year since then. Worldwide, planned events have been ongoing since 2008.
 
This year’s Great Utah ShakeOut is slated for April 16, 2026! The statewide events will be organized by individuals, businesses, and public and private agencies whose representatives will hold earthquake drills at Utah’s workplaces, schools, or homes where everyone can practice earthquake safety and other aspects of their emergency plan as if a real major earthquake were occurring. The event usually occurs around 10:15 a.m., though you can plan your event for a time that is convenient for you or your group.
 
The Be Ready Utah website states, “While we encourage you to participate with everyone, you can register your ShakeOut drill for any day of the year, and drill at a time of your choice. You can also include people in multiple locations through video conferencing.
 
After you register (https://www.shakeout.org/register/index.php?start=Utah) your ShakeOut participation, go to beready.utah.gov to learn how to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters. Additional information is also available on the website, such as how to plan your drill, Utah earthquake scenarios, how to participate, ShakeOut resources, recommended earthquake safety actions, how to make a grab-and-go emergency kit, and frequently asked questions.
 
As of March 21, 2026, over 667,000 Utahns had already registered for the April 16 event. Set an example that motivates others to participate by registering your planned event today!
 
The Great Utah ShakeOut is supported by the Utah Department of Public Safety, Be Ready Utah, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Ready Utah, and FEMA.
 
Get ready today for the Great Utah ShakeOut on April 16!