Millions around the world are expected to take part in a major earthquake drill Oct. 17. Over nine million in California alone signed up to hide under their desks, cover their heads, and hold on to something sturdy at 10:17 a.m. local time. 

The first Great ShakeOut, organized by the Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA), was held in California in 2008 and participation has since spread throughout the globe. Some countries that joined in this year included: Japan, Canada, Italy and Guam. 

As stated on their website, “The Great California ShakeOut is an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes…The ShakeOut has also been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries.”

SEE ALSO: Seismologists Debate Effectiveness of Quake Warning System

According to the Huffington Post, participation has increased in the last year despite the government shutdown, which prevented the Federal Emergency Management Agency from doing last-minute promotion of the drill on social media sites. 

But now that the government shutdown is officially over, the ShakeOut has been taking to social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter to announce the event. 

And the timing of the drill couldn’t be more opportune, considering some of the earthquakes in recent weeks such as the magnitude-7.1 quake in the Philippines that killed more than 100 people. The incentive behind the worldwide event is to inform people on how to best prepare themselves for such circumstances.  

So did you drop, cover, and hold this morning? 

Reach Executive Producer Lizzie Pereira here.