Metadata
Tens of millions of people were startled by
the sudden ground shaking from a rare magnitude
5.8 earthquake in central Virginia in August
of 2011.
Just this school year, there were celebrations
for the re-opening of Thomas Jefferson Elementary
School in Louisa County, right at the earthquake's
epicenter.
In this video, students discuss their experiences,
school officials note the importance of earthquake
awareness, and USGS highlights research underway
and the role of science to inform preparedness.
Interviews:
Alexis Downey, Student, Thomas Jefferson Elementary
School
Carter Knight, Student, Thomas Jefferson Elementary
School
Deborah Pettit, Superintendent, Louisa County
Public Schools
David Szalankiewicz, Director of Facilities
and Maintenance, Louisa County Public Schools
Michael Blanpied, Associate Coordinator, USGS
Earthquake Hazards Program
Narration:
Jessica Robertson, USGS
Video Editor:
Don Becker, USGS
Producers:
Don Becker, USGS
Jessica Robertson, USGS
Camera:
Greg Dorazio, Louisa County Public Schools
Jessica Robertson, USGS
The USGS is a proud partner in the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program with
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National
Science Foundation, and National Institute
of Standards and Technology.
www.shakeout.org
www.earthquake.usgs.gov
www.nehrp.gov
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Script:
Alexis Downey: So I was pretty scared because
like, a lot of people, because actually my
brother Conner Downey, he was in the music
room and we had a little pod outside of the
old school and the ceiling started coming
down on that class, but they got out safe
and sound.
Carter Knight: You should always get down
on the ground, cover your head or your neck,
get under something stable, and you hold onto
it. 
Jessica Robertson: Tens of millions of people
were startled by the sudden ground shaking
from a rare magnitude 5.8 earthquake in central
Virginia in August of 2011.
Just this school year there were celebrations
for the reopening of Thomas Jefferson Elementary
School in Louisa County, right at the earthquake’s
epicenter.
August 23, 2011 Earthquake in Virginia
Alexis Downey: The day of the earthquake,
we obviously didn't know what was coming.
But, I was outside on the playground, all
safe.
I was actually on the swings of my old school
and the ground just started shaking.
My friends and I were pretty scared because
we were only in about second grade.
And so we got off, went to our teachers, and
then we all sat down and we were just talking
quietly to each other.
Carter Knight: We were outside when it happened,
and we were at recess.
There was shaking, and we thought somebody
was just doing construction or something because
we were right near the train tracks and everything.
So we thought it was just one of those things.
And then it started shaking really badly.
And then we saw everybody evacuating from
the building and we saw some of the bricks
just falling.
It was really scary.
Alexis Downey: It made me feel that it was
almost over.
Everyone made me feel that it's closer to
being over, but we still have a few aftershocks.
Start with Science
Michael Blanpied: We at USGS are delighted
at the reopening of the Thomas Jefferson Elementary
School in Louisa County.
Ever since the earthquake of 2011, USGS geologists
and seismologists have been working in central
Virginia to understand the earthquake, its
aftershocks, the ground effects that were
caused by the earthquake, and the geology
that's responsible for earthquakes in central
Virginia.
Those studies are ongoing but already results
from that research have been incorporated
into our 2014 update to the National Seismic
Hazard Map.
These maps depict expected levels of shaking
from earthquakes and are used in building
codes so that the buildings can be built safely.
School Re-Opening
David Szalankiewicz: The 
school has been built to current codes and
standards.
It's a beautiful structure.
It's got plenty of grout and reinforcing steel
inside of it to create a safe environment
for the Thomas Jefferson school community.
It's going to provide the local community
with years of safe service, aesthetic beauty,
and it's just a quality product overall.
Earthquake Drills
Alexis Downey: Well, if you're in a classroom
when the announcements come on and say, there's
an earthquake drill or something, usually
you get under your desk or a table, and you
grab onto the legs of it and you duck your
head so it's safe.
Well, they should really practice, because
if they didn't practice, then otherwise when
a real earthquake happened, then they wouldn't
know what to do.
Hold the legs of your desk and you just sit
there until you guys can evacuate.
Drop, cover and hold.
Science for Preparedness
Deborah Pettit: People may think that the
USGS is composed of a group of scientists
who measure seismic activity and study earthquakes,
but actually they do a lot more than that.
I've learned that since our earthquake in
Louisa three years ago.
They use that information to help us understand
the hazards and risks that are associated
with earthquakes and to help us be prepared.
For instance, they are promoting The Great
ShakeOut, which is encouraging people across
the United States to participate in earthquake
drills so we know how to behave when one might
happen to us.
In addition, they provide information on how
to prepare our homes and our buildings to
withstand seismic activity, whether it's a
new building or to repair the places that
we already live in.
Michael Blanpied: At USGS, we're dedicated
to understanding earthquake hazards across
the country and across the world.
We continuously update our seismic hazard
maps and we provide information and tools
so that families, businesses, and communities
can be safe.
It's important to understand your risks from
hazards.
The government has deemed September National
Preparedness Month and is putting an abundance
of data on the web so that you can understand
what to do before, during, and after hazardous
events. 
We also encourage you to sign up for The Great
ShakeOut, an annual earthquake response exercise,
this year held on October 16.
