Participating in Thursday’s Great U.S. Central Shake Out Earthquake Drill were employees of Merit-Health (formerly Tri-Lakes Hospital). Julian Johnson and Amber Beard found a place to cover. More than 18.6 million Americans and millions more worldwide were expected to participate in earthquake drills at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15. Countries with a large number of registered participants were Japan, with more than 4 million, and New Zealand, with about 1.2 million, according to the event’s website. Students at Batesville Middle School also participated.