LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- More than 10 million Californians on Thursday took part in an annual statewide earthquake preparedness drill, the world's largest earthquake drill.

At 10:17 a.m. local time (1717 GMT) Thursday, Californians stopped what they were doing, and practiced "Drop, Cover and Hold On" and other self-protective actions when a major earthquake hits.

Over 10.5 million participants registered in the drill, named "Great California ShakeOut," according to the organizer's website.

The drill falls this year on the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, one of the deadliest and most destructive in the state's history.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) requested residents to get ready in case of a strong quake in the future by participating in the drill.

"The 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' drill we practice each year on Great California ShakeOut Day helps us prepare ourselves and our families, classrooms, and businesses for earthquakes," said Lori Nezhura, deputy director of Planning and Preparedness at Cal OES. Enditem

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