Thursday is International ShakeOut Day, a time when Californians and people around the world can practice what to do in the event of a major earthquake.

Here's what you should know about the event, when it's taking place and what we can learn from it.

What is the Great American ShakeOut?

The Great California ShakeOut is part of Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation and several other partners to advance earthquake preparedness.

Participants will slump, cover themselves and hold on in their homes, workplaces and classrooms – a technique people should use to protect themselves during an earthquake – a technique recommended by experts.

Earthquake drills also teach people what to do before and after an earthquake. This includes rehabilitating homes to make them less vulnerable to damage and planning with loved ones about what to do in an emergency, experts said in a news release from the Statewide California Earthquake Center. One tool to use when thinking about earthquake preparedness is the Earthquake Country Alliance's Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety, which the alliance says was developed with experts in earthquake science, earthquake preparedness and mitigation. The seven steps detail how you can prevent things from falling over and causing injuries in your home by organizing emergency supplies.

When do earthquakes occur?

It is currently not possible to predict an earthquake. Still, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey can “calculate the probability that a major earthquake will occur in a given area within a given number of years.” While earthquake forecasts and probabilities can be determined, these reports are “comparable to climate probabilities and weather forecasts” and are not the same as predictions, according to the USGS.

When does the Great ShakeOut take place?

The market shakeout will take place on Thursday at 10:17 a.m.

What is Drop, Cover and Hold On?

According to Ready.gov, this safety measure means we should get down on our hands and knees and hold on to something stable. Cover your head and neck with your arms and crawl under a sturdy table or desk for shelter. If you can't do this, crawl toward an interior wall to get away from the windows. If you are under a table or desk, hold it with one hand so you can move it with you if it moves.

People using sticks who cannot practice falling, covering, and holding should sit on a bed or chair and cover their head and neck with both hands. Wheelchair users should, if possible, block their wheels and protect their neck and head with their arms, a book or a pillow. The Earthquake Country Alliance offers additional guidance for older adults and people with disabilities during an earthquake, which can be found online at earthquakeland.org/accessibility.

Paris Barraza is a featured reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: What is the Great American ShakeOut and what time is it?