Emergency Readiness is key

Mark Benthien is Director for Communication, Education, and Outreach for the Southern California Earthquake Center, headquartered at the University of Southern California. Mark received a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from USC.

Mark communicates earthquake knowledge in order to increase awareness, reduce economic losses, and save lives. Many of these efforts are in coordination with members of the Earthquake Country Alliance, a partnership of organizations that provide earthquake information and services, for which Mark serves as Executive Director and lead organizer of the annual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill (more than 10.8 million participants in 2019). Mark was recognized in 2012 by the White House as a “Champion of Change” for his role in managing the California ShakeOut and also supporting the many other states and countries who now participate (68 million participants in 70 countries worldwide in 2019).