Earthquakes can happen anywhere – just ask the folks in NewEngland shaken up on Tuesday night after a tremor rattled thatseemingly unlikely location – and Navy Federal Credit Union wantsits employees to be ready.

The $50 billion, Virginia-based credit union will be asking manyof its employees to drop and cover as Navy Federal participatesThursday in the Great ShakeOutEarthquake Drills event.

Navy Federal said its branches will remain open with just ashort pause in member service as the drill is conducted at its WestCoast corporate office and branches in California, Arizona, Nevada,New Mexico and Washington state.

The Tuesday night earthquake was magnitude 4.0, the U.S.Geological Survey said. On Aug. 23, 2011, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake rattled the Washington, D.C., area,which includes Navy Federal's headquarters in Vienna, Va.

“Earthquakes can happen anywhere, anytime. And since our membersare widespread, it makes sense for us to participate in a globalevent like this one which helps us improve our emergency plans andensure that employees and members visiting our branches worldwideremain safe in the event of an earthquake,” said George Eichert,senior vice president, Administrative Services, for the 225-branchNavy Federal.