Earth Science Week 2025 Geoscience Australia Public Talk: The Great ShakeOut earthquake safety drill

Presented by Dr Steve Hill, Chief Scientist, Geoscience Australia, Dr Michelle Salmon, Senior Seismologist, Ben Jenkins, National Earthquake Alert Centre Training Officer, Commander Damian Holloway, ACT Fire & Rescue and Samuel Perillo, ACT Ambulance Service.

On average more than 100 earthquakes above magnitude 3.0 happen in Australia every year. Do you know what to do when you feel the ground start to move?

Earth Science Week is more than an event; it’s a global movement towards understanding and cherishing our planet. This initiative ignites curiosity and fosters appreciation for the Earth sciences. It brings to light the intricate connections between geoscience and our daily lives. It’s an invitation to dive into the fascinating world of Earth’s processes, explore the bounty of natural resources, and discuss the pivotal role of geosciences in addressing critical societal challenges.

This Earth Science Week, join Geoscience Australia and experts from across our Community Safety team and the ACT Emergency Services Agency in ‘The Great ShakeOut’ – a worldwide earthquake safety drill. Learn about science of earthquakes, the importance of knowing what to do if you experience one and find out how the information submitted through felt reports helps emergency management response and research to help disaster preparedness.

Presenter Bios

Dr Steve Hill is Geoscience Australia’s Chief Scientist and the Executive Champion for Earth Science Week. His active support of geoscience outreach, education and training is expressed through his Office’s leadership of Geoscience Australia’s Education and Outreach program, and his own program of public engagement, such as public lectures, school visits, running geological tours of Australia’s Parliament House and liaising closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.

Dr Michelle Salmon is a Senior Duty Seismologist at Geoscience Australia. She is responsible for bringing in high quality, near real time data from across the Australian National Seismic Network, to provide time-critical data to stakeholders. She also provides 24/7 seismologist support and advice to the duty staff in the National Earthquake Alerts Centre and assists in disseminating earthquake information to the public through the media.

Ben Jenkins is the National Earthquake Alert Centres Training Officer. He is responsible for maintaining the capability of NEAC's 24/7 Duty Team, who undertake rapid seismic analysis and provide time-critical information and alerts of significant earthquakes with the potential to cause damage, injury, or tsunami in Australia and overseas.

Commander Damian Holloway joined ACT Fire & Rescue in 2008 and has since specialised in Road Crash Rescue. In 2018, he achieved his Urban Search and Rescue Level 2 qualification. Most recently, in 2023, Damian was deployed to Türkiye as part of the Australian Disaster Assistance Response Teams, supporting the international earthquake relief effort.

Samuel Perillo began his paramedic career in London in 2015, before joining the ACT Ambulance Service in 2018. He has held a range of management roles across the service, including Clinical Governance, Operations Support, and public health emergency management. Sam is also an active member of the Paramedicine Board of Australia.