To promote awareness of earthquakes, the newly formed Geology Club celebrated the statewide “Great Southern California Shakeout,” an earthquake safety, preparedness and awareness event. The weeklong event came to a climax Nov. 13 when the club set up a booth in the student free speech area at Bakersfield College.
“The shakeout is going on today, and there are nearly 5.3 million people just in Southern California participating,” said Kylie Garza, the Geology Club president. “We’re just hoping to raise awareness of earthquakes. We’re helping people realize what they need to do to protect themselves.”
According to Garza, a lot of people came by the booth. “They like the preparedness guide,” she said. The earthquake emergency kits included a reusable tote, first aid kit, sling, emergency blanket, dust mask, flashlight, can opener, refillable water bottle and a water purification tablet, things that the club felt would be important to have if a severe earthquake hit.
“We need to be prepared for an earthquake when one hits,” said adviser and professor of geology, earth science and engineering Natalie Bursztyn. “Even though we live in California, we’re not aware of the damage one could do,”
The club also organized a seismic scavenger hunt, a series of 14 questions regarding earthquakes were posted around campus to get students involved.
The club was fundraising to pay for previous expenses including the event and to go on a planned field trip many of the members were anticipating.
“World recycling week was also ironically going on, so they made and sold reusable totes,” said Bursztyn. “So the sale of reusable totes was all part of recycling.”
The Geology Club has eight active members and what Bursztyn described as “floaters” who are in and out of meetings. Garza feels that the event went well, and that they are prepared for an earthquake if one were to hit.
“Students had fun,” said Bursztyn. “They were able to recruit more people for the club, so I’d call it a success.”