Kalāhikiola Congregational Church in Kapa‘au, Hawai‘i on October 2006 after the damaging 6.7 magnitude earthquake and after repairs in 2010.

(Volcano Watch is a weekly article written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.)

Damage to the Kalāhikiola Congregational Church in Kapa‘au, Hawai‘i, caused by the 2006 Kīholo Bay earthquake and aftershocks clearly shows why taking cover inside a building (Drop! Cover! Hold on!) is safer than trying to run outside or stand in a doorway when the ground shakes. Collapse of the exterior wall would have severely injured (or worse) anyone trying to run through or stand in the doors of the church during the quakes. USGS photo.

The State of Hawaii has a long history of destructive earthquakes. More than 30 magnitude-6.0 or greater earthquakes have impacted the islands since 1868 (or about once every five years), and the chance of a damaging earthquake striking Hawaii in the next 10 years is 50 percent.

So, it’s a matter of WHEN—not IF—another destructive earthquake happens in Hawaii. And, unlike tropical storms and hurricanes, which arrive with lots of advance notice, a large earthquake could strike at any time with no warning.

Given these facts, it’s essential that you prepare now for Hawaii’s next big earthquake. Helpful guidance on preparing your home and workplace is available online through agencies like FEMA (http://www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-home).

Personal safety is another issue. Knowing how to protect yourself and your family during an earthquake can prevent or minimize injuries (or worse).

First, what you should NOT do when the ground shakes: run outside or stand in a doorway. Although commonly believed to be appropriate responses, extensive research shows that they are not the recommended actions to take.

Trying to run outside during an earthquake is more dangerous than staying inside a building, because with the ground moving up-and-down or sideways, you could easily lose your balance and fall, risking serious injury. Also, exterior building walls and facades often collapse, so you’d be running toward danger rather than from it.

Doorways in modern buildings are no stronger than other parts of the structure, so they are not necessarily the safest places to be. They also provide little, if any, protection from flying debris or falling objects, the cause of most earthquake injuries.

So, what should you do to protect yourself during an earthquake?

According to earthquake safety experts, rescue teams, and researchers, the best actions you can take to reduce risk of injury or death during an earthquake is “Drop! Cover! Hold on!”

To keep from falling or being knocked down by the shaking, DROP to the ground on your hands and knees. This position will still allow you to move if necessary.

To protect as much of your body as possible, especially your head and neck, take COVER under a sturdy table or desk. If safe cover is not nearby, drop down next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.

Then, HOLD ON to your cover (table or desk)—or on to your head and neck if not under cover—until the shaking stops. This allows you to move with your cover if it shifts during the shaking.

If you’re at the beach, drop to your hands and knees and cover your head (if objects are falling) until the strong shaking stops. Then quickly walk to higher ground until you’re at least 30 m (100 ft) above sea level, or beyond the marked tsunami hazard zone. Avoid steep cliffs and watch for falling rocks as you move inland.

What if you’re driving, asleep in bed, in a wheelchair, or in a store when an earthquake hits? These scenarios are covered in “Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions in Hawaii” (http://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/downloads/ShakeOut_Hawaii_Recommended_Earthquake_Safety_Actions.pdf), which describes how to protect yourself during an earthquake wherever you are.

The key to personal safety is to practice now so that you will know exactly what to do—and can react quickly—when the next strong earthquake strikes Hawaii.

The perfect time to practice Drop! Cover! Hold on! is during the Great Hawaii ShakeOut, an earthquake awareness and preparedness event that takes place at 10:15 a.m. on October 15, 2015. Details are posted on the ShakeOut website (http://shakeout.org/hawaii/), along with helpful resources on what you can, and should, do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Additional resources are posted on the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) website (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/), including a slide show on the history of earthquakes in Hawaii. You can also call (808) 967-8802 or (808) 967-8844 for more information about the Great Hawaii ShakeOut and preparing for earthquakes.

On October 15, HVO staff, along with more than 230,000 other Hawaii residents, will practice Drop! Cover! Hold on! Whether you’re at home or at work, please join us! A few minutes of practice on that, or another, day could prevent injury or save your life during Hawaii’s next big earthquake.