February is Earthquake Awareness Month in Indiana

Earthquakes in Indiana may seem unusual or unlikely, but the reality is the state is near two seismic zones.

Photo provided.

INDIANAPOLIS - Earthquakes in Indiana may seem unusual or unlikely, but the reality is the state is near two seismic zones. Both seismic zones have the potential to produce major earthquakes and many small quakes. About 2,000 tremors occur daily in the central United States, underscoring the need for all Hoosiers to know earthquake safety.

Hoosiers need to Get ShakIN' to be aware of the risk and prepare for a substantial quake. If an earthquake were to strike, Hoosiers should stop what they are doing and: 

• Drop where they are, onto their hands and knees,
• Cover their head and neck with one arm and hand and crawl for shelter under a nearby table or desk (sturdy piece of furniture), and 
• Hold On to the shelter with their free hand until the earthquake stops.

K-12 Get ShakIN' Video Contest

To encourage students to take an active role in learning earthquake safety the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is launching the Get ShakIN' video contest. School-aged Hoosiers (K-12) have the chance to win their class or group a Raspberry Shake® RS3D seismograph to use for a year to track seismic activity worldwide!

Groups can enter by submitting a student-produced video focused on earthquake preparedness and/or safety. A panel of judges from IDHS will select the Top 10 videos to win a seismograph, and an overall winner will be selected to receive a seismograph plus the grand prize: an “Indiana Earthquake Day” event.

The contest is open now. Video entries will be accepted until Aug. 31, 2023. Additional information about the video contest and earthquake safety is on the GetShakIN' webpage.