Many Lake County employees won’t be at their desks at 10:15 a.m. Feb. 7–they’ll be under them.

They’ll be participating in the Central United States Great ShakeOut—an annual event designed to teach people what to do in case of an earthquake.

Tho earthquake felt in Lake and McHenry counties Jan. 30 was small, but geologists warn that a more devastating earthquake could occur here because of the New Madrid fault near St. Louis.

Every 18 months, the fault releases a shock of 4.0 or more on the Richter scale—it’s active and if the shock is strong enough, it can reach northern Illinois. Geologists consider it the highest earthquake risk in the United States outside of the West Coast.

“The shakeout started in California to help people be more prepared for earthquakes,” said Kent McKenzie, emergency director for Lake County. But it makes sense to have one for people who could be affected by the New Madrid fault as well, he said.

At 10:15 a.m. Feb. 7, Lake County government employees  will drop, cover and hold, he said.

The Lake County Emergency Management Agency encourages residents to participate in the shakeout event, at home, school or work.

The Jan. 30 earthquake registered a relatively small 2.4-magnitude just before 10 p.m.

“It was very minor,” said USGS geophysicist Jessica Turner. USGS received some reports of “very light shaking” in Chicago, 44 miles away, she said.

–Tribune reporter William Lee contributed to this report.