California Emergency Agency Installed Earthquake Simulator

The state has deployed a mobile simulator at UCLA ahead of Thursday's Great California ShakeOut.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Safety

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The California Office of Emergency Services has stationed a mobile earthquake simulator at UCLA to improve public preparedness for seismic events. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The California Office of Emergency Services has brought a mobile earthquake simulator to the UCLA campus. The installation arrives as residents prepare for the Great California ShakeOut scheduled for Thursday.

Why it matters

The mobile unit aims to provide individuals with a firsthand experience of what various seismic events might feel like. By engaging the public with the simulator, officials hope to improve overall earthquake awareness.

The mobile simulator can replicate earthquake magnitudes ranging from 3.0 up to 7.0. These simulations are designed to demonstrate the physical sensations of various seismic levels to the public.

The players

California Office of Emergency Services

This state agency is responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts across California.

UCLA

This major public research university serves as the host location for the mobile earthquake simulator.

The details

The mobile unit is stationed on the UCLA campus to allow local residents to experience simulated seismic activity. In conjunction with this effort, officials are urging the community to download the MyShake app and sign up for local emergency alerts.

Timeline

  1. Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Public access to the earthquake simulator.

  2. Thursday, October 15, 2026: The Great California ShakeOut.

Seasonal Patterns

The installation at UCLA follows a pattern set by the Great California ShakeOut, reinforcing the need for annual disaster preparedness education. This deployment highlights the state's ongoing efforts to transition earthquake awareness into tangible public safety actions.

Residents should download the MyShake app to receive early earthquake warnings on their mobile devices. Additionally, individuals should visit official portals to sign up for community emergency alerts to ensure they receive timely information during a disaster.

The takeaway

Understanding how seismic energy translates into physical motion can help residents better prepare their homes and emergency kits. Practicing safety drills periodically is a critical step in reducing injury during real earthquake events.

Further reading

For additional guidance on seismic readiness, visit the Los Angeles Safety section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by KTLA 5.

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