The Department of Disaster Management encourages the Virgin Islands to gain experience in earthquake safety by joining ShakeOut, a global exercise taking place October 16. 

Director of Disaster Management Mr. Jasen Penn said the Virgin Islands and Caribbean are very seismically active, experiencing hundreds of earthquakes each year.

“For example, in the area around the Virgin Islands, the USVI and Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Seismic Network has recorded 391 significant earthquakes in 2025 so far,” Mr. Penn said.

The Director said ShakeOut raises awareness about the drop, cover and hold technique, endorsed by first responders and emergency managers as the gold standard for earthquake safety response.

“Research has shown that getting low and, if possible, under a sturdy desk or table is best way to protect yourself during shaking,” Mr. Penn said. “We hope that by practicing this response regularly, persons will be able to quickly protect themselves if a major quake occurs.”

ShakeOut participants in the Virgin Islands are encouraged to register and be counted at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025SHAKEOUTEXERCISE. Then, on October 16, participants should:

1. Announce to the family or team that the drill has begun.
2. Drop, cover and hold under a table or desk; or crouch low near an interior wall, covering the head and neck, for 60 seconds. After that, participants may wish to add other post-earthquake activities such as moving to a tsunami assembly area, evaluating the building for damage, or testing emergency communication procedures.
3. Gather as a family or team and discuss what can be improved. Adjust plans as needed.

For advice on personalising an earthquake exercise or other steps to decrease risks from an earthquake, contact DDM at 468-4200 or ddm@gov.vg. 

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About ShakeOut:

ShakeOut is a global earthquake response drill. In 2024, more than 50 million persons participated around the world. Typically held on the third Thursday in October, the goal of the exercise is to promote safety before, during and after earthquakes. The Virgin Islands has participated in ShakeOut each year since 2018.