Millions of people across California have taken part in the largest earthquake drill in US history.
Thousands of schoolchildren, students and workers were amongst an estimated 5.2m Southern Californians who took cover under tables and shelters just after 10am as a mock 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the region.
Fire crews, police and medical emergency services were taking part in exercises at multiple locations throughout the morning.
Dubbed the ‘Great Southern California Shakeout,’ the exercise simulated a large earthquake on the San Andreas Fault that leaves 1,800 people dead, 53,000 injured and 1,500 buildings destroyed.
At the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, a sports field was set up as a triage centre, with 'injured' victims, some wearing gory make-up, being ferried to hastily erected hospital tents.
Meanwhile local broadcasters covered mock news briefings featuring seismologists gravely informing reporters of the epic nature of the disaster, warning that people could remain trapped in rubble for days.
According to the USGS, a 7.8-magnitude shake would rattle buildings in Los Angeles for 55 seconds, compared to the seven seconds it shook during the 1994 Northridge quake, which left 72 people dead and 12,000 injured.
Geologists say an earthquake capable of causing widespread destruction is 99% certain of hitting California within the next 30 years.
