BS: our very first earthquake

Subject: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 02:25 PM

After 38 years of studying geology, collecting rocks and being married to a professional geologist, I (and the DH) experienced our first earthquake last night.

I'm quietly thrilled.

It was 5.6 on the Richter scale, and it occurred 300 miles away. Yet the rocks in this region (midwestern US) are so solid and widespread that they carried the shocks waves for great distances.

We didn't know what was happening! The floor sashayed to and fro, the beads on the living-room curtains rattled for a minute, and the little bells dangling from the bookshelf (for playing Cantigas de Santa Maria) tinkled all on their own.

Later we learned that it was indeed a quake, epicenter near Oklahoma City. This is not supposed to happen here. I would be interested to hear an explanation for it from the USGS.

Off to lunch now. Back later.

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: Penny S.
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 02:33 PM

50 a year until last year when there were 1000, so there have been extra seismographs installed around the Winzetta fault.

Not quite centre craton stability, then.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: Fossil
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 07:12 PM

Sounds like you need a visit to New Zealand!

Or a read of Jane Bowron's new book, "Old Bucky and Me" which is about her experiences of the two big Christchurch earthquakes and living in the wrecked ("munted") city for months afterwards as it was rocked by several aftershocks a day, ranging up to 5's. Published by Awa Press, NZ. ISBN 978-1877551-30-7.

Believe, me, earthquakes are *not* fun!

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 07:20 PM

I am green with envy...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 07:23 PM

I too am so very happy for you! Imagine, your first quake........***sigh***....................you're so lucky!!!!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: gnu
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 07:32 PM

Spaw! Suck on a bar of soap!

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 08:04 PM

Damage was minor, though I understand there's a Highway 63 that needs repairing, and a chimney was down. No deaths and no injuries that I've heard of.

As Red Riding Hood would say, 'It was not too powerful, and it was not too weak, it was just right."

I'm glad it was a quake, because if it had been an industrial accident, it would have been a catastrophe. For example, just a few days ago there was an explosion in a grain elevator in Atchison. That was heard for miles and killed six workers.

At the time, it was baffling. I was thinking, "This can't be an earthquake, because they don't happen here."

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 09:50 PM

gnu, I don't think Spaw is being sarcastic. He's probably still waiting for his first quake.

So which is it Spaw, do you have rocks on your mind or rocks in your head?

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 10:00 PM

There's already a country song about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkLzI_0v45Q&feature=related

Midwesterners rule!

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: Alice
Date: 06 Nov 11 - 11:16 PM

ummm... wouldn't that be what Goldilocks would say? (not red riding hood)

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 08:58 AM

That's right. What was I thinking? Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

I'm glad the quake was a quake, not an explosion, I'm glad it was only a 5.6, and I'm glad it did not come from SE Missouri. Anybody who's interested in geology ought to read about the New Madrid quakes of 1811 - 12, the biggest quakes to hit THE EARTH in the last 2000 years.

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 12:28 PM

Did the earth move for you too, Leeneia??

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 12:41 PM

leeneia, it sounds more like what the actress said to the Bishop!

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 10:02 AM

Link to the tectonics of it all, for those who have any curiosity or empathy:

info or Nov 5th quakes

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 05:26 PM

Frucking Fracking, probably....

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:49 AM

Hardly. We're talking about the shaking of thousands of square miles of solid rock. It takes Mother Earth to do that.

Subject: RE: BS: our very first earthquake
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 10:54 AM

A few years ago they had a minor 'quake in Dudley (UK). Apparently it caused millions of pounds worth of improvements...