What is the Great Shakeout? The international earthquake drill designed to improve safety, that begins on October 19th, at 10.19am

The international ShakeOut earthquake drill will begin on October 19th, with millions of people across the world practicing earthquake safety. 

More than 20 million participants will join in the drills at work, school or home at 10:19am in their local time and practice what to do if an earthquake occurs. 

Nearly ten million California residents have registered for the drill, as the state is at high risk of earthquakes. The majority come from K-12 schools and districts. 

'While some areas of California are more likely to have earthquakes than others, all of California is at higher risk compared to the rest of the country,' the ShakeOut website states. 

Emergency preparedness experts recommend 'Drop, Cover, and Hold' as the best way in most situations to reduce chances of injury and death during earthquakes. 

More than 20million participants will join in the drills at work, school or home at 10.19am in their local time and practice what to do if an earthquake occurs

The drill could also remind communities and businesses to update emergency plans and supplies. 

'The goal is to prevent a major catastrophe for you, your organization, and your community', the ShakeOut website says. 

Southern California has 10,000 earthquakes each year, according to the United States Geological Survey. 

A local law, Ordinance 183893, requires Los Angeles to retrofit wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front walls and non-ductile concrete buildings to reduce structural hazards and damages during severe shakings.

A swarm of earthquakes hit Southern California in April this year, with one earthquake that shook the Salton Sea region - located south of Joshua Tree -  registered as a 4.5 in magnitude on the Richter scale. 

A swarm of earthquakes hit Southern California last year as the Golden State saw a massive uptick in the cost of quake damage

That estimated cost is a 157 percent jump from 2017 when it was just $3.7 billion a year

The first earthquake occurred near the U.S.- Mexico border town of Herber and more than four dozen tremors were subsequently registered over the next 18 hours, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The Golden State saw a massive uptick in the cost of quake damage as a new report from USGS indicated that California is projected to lose an average of $9.6 billion a year from earthquake damage. 

That number is a 157 percent jump from 2017 when it was just $3.7 billion a year. 

New York also saw a rare earthquake in May with residents reporting shaking houses in parts of the state.

Seismologists said the magnitude 2.2 was reported, with the sound of a 'loud rumble' also heard as the earthquake struck around a mile south-south-west of Hastings-on-Hudson.

New York also saw a rare earthquake in May with residents reporting shaking houses in parts of the state

The magnitude 2.2 was reported with the sound of a 'loud rumble' also heard

A 6.4 earthquake rocked California last year leaving tens of thousands without power, about 200 miles north of San Francisco, three days after a 3.6 quake shook the Bay Area

The powerful earthquake left more than 71,000 customers without power

A huge 6.4 earthquake rocked northern California last year. Its epicenter was around 200 miles north of San Francisco, days after a 3.6 quake shook the Bay Area.

At least two people were injured in this morning's temblor, the Humboldt Co. Sheriff's Office confirmed to Dailymail.com. 

The powerful earthquake left more than 71,000 customers without power - which is about 71 percent of Humboldt County - after it struck 7.5 miles south-west of Ferndale, a small community 210 miles north-west of San Francisco.

Dozens of smaller quakes, some as powerful as a 4.6 magnitude, had since struck the area, USGS reported. Numerous gas leaks, downed powerlines and at least one structure fire in Ferndale were reported by area residents and officials. 

It came just three days after a 3.6 earthquake rattled San Francisco as seismologists warn the Bay Area is due a devastating quake in the next three decades - potentially causing thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in damage.