No matter your physical abilities, Dr. Lori Dengler offers up some preparedness and safety tips.

Lori Dengler discusses the autumn earthquake and tsunami that devasted parts of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill is coming up on Thursday, October 18th. On this episode of Shaky Ground , Dr. Lori Dengler encourages us all to take part in this important preparedness excercise. For more preparedness information, click here .

The next earthquake is likely to happen when you least expect it. Relatively infrequent events are hard to plan for. Geologist Lori Dengler advises making preparedness a high priority. Make a habit of checking up on your supplies of water, food, batteries and medical supplies.

Following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan, a small boat belonging to Takata High School in Rikuzentakata was swept out to sea. It reached the shores of Crescent City two years later. Del Norte High School students cleaned the boat and returned it to Takata High School. That was the start of a relationship between the two schools - and ultimately the two cities. Crescent City and Rikuzentakata have now formally established a sister city relationship.

How will we know a tsunami may be coming? Other than feeling the ground shake, we rely on tsunami warning centers to alert us about potential risk. Dr. Lori Dengler explains the process for accessing and communicating a tsunami hazard.

When an earthquake happens, responding appropriately and efficiently will save lives.

Abby Wutzler, from Wellington New Zealand, was vacationing in Samoa on September 29, 2009 when she noticed the ocean was withdrawing. She had also been taught about the natural warning signs of a tsunami in school and ran up and down the beach yelling that a tsunami was coming. Many tourists credit Abby’s warning with saving their lives.

Moisés Molina was on duty in the Chilean coastal resort town of Iloca when the ground started shaking in the early morning hours of February 27, 2011. He was not from the coast but he had seen the tsunami evacuation signs posted in the town and when he saw the ocean change character, he realized it was time to evacuate. He coordinated his police staff and successfully notified everyone, including unsuspecting campers, to evacuate. Thanks to his efforts, no one in Iloca died.

Dr. Lori Dengler takes on the mistaken term "tidal wave" when referring to a tsunami.