RICHMOND — Gov. Terry McAuliffe has proclaimed Thursday as Virginia’s Earthquake ShakeOut Day.

Approximately 800,000 Virginians have signed up for the Great SouthEastShakeOut, a multistate earthquake drill set for Thursday at 10:15 a.m, according to a press release from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

The annual earthquake drill provides Virginians with the opportunity to learn what to do when an earthquake hits. “In the U.S., people should not run down stairs or outside during an earthquake. Instead, emergency management and preparedness experts agree that drop, cover and hold on is the safest response to reduce injuries and deaths,” the release stated. According to the release, Virginia experiences earthquakes each year, but only a few are felt. “Since 1977, more than 195 quakes have been detected as originating beneath Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.”