Mitigation and Preparedness

Earthquake Prevention and Preparedness in California

• View on Youtube

"Preparedness Now" short film

Up-and-coming film director, motion graphics designer and Art Center College of Design alumnus, Theo Alexopoulos, takes you on a visceral journey through the USGS 2008 ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario. This current version is adapted from the original created for The Great Southern California ShakeOut (reference to Nov. 13, 2008 has been removed). The film was created by the USGS Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project in cooperation with the Designmatters program at Art Center to depict the physical, social, and economic consequences of the most comprehensive earthquake scenario ever created. The film gives the viewers a sense of what will be happening and inspires them to prepare and mitigate for a faster recovery. The premise underlying the film is that design is a powerful catalyst that can bridge the divide between scientific understanding about damaging quakes, and the ability of the public to feel empowered and to change their behavior in terms of preparedness.

• View on Youtube


• Download 58.3 MB Quicktime movie

(To download, right-click (control-click on Mac) and choose "Save Target As..." "Download Linked File" or "Save Link as")

ShakeOut Drill Broadcast

Audio and Video recordings created to provide instructions during your Drop, Cover, Hold On drill.

ShakeOut Public Service Announcements (UPDATED FOR 2009)

View on the ShakeOut YouTube Channel:

• Brick to Face (English, 15 sec)
• Brick to Face (Spanish, 15 sec)


• Brick Showdown (English, 30 sec)
• Brick Showdown (Spanish, 30 sec)


• Dominos (English, 30 sec)
• Dominos (Spanish, 30 sec)