Earthquake
I woke up early this morning and was shaking. My first thought was “What’s wrong with me?!?” Then I realized the whole bed was shaking and the house started creaking. It took me a while to shake off the stupor, but I thought “Earthquake?” Surely not. I soon drifted back off to sleep, but when I woke up the next morning, I dismissed it as a dream.
Then I read the news: Enquirer.com and AP.
Sure enough, it was an earthquake.
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake that appeared to rival the strongest recorded in the region rocked people up to 450 miles away early Friday, surprising residents unaccustomed to such a powerful Midwest temblor.
The quake just before 4:37 a.m. was centered six miles from West Salem, Ill., and 66 miles from Evansville, Ind. It was felt in such distant cities as Chicago, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Des Moines, Iowa, 450 miles northwest of the epicenter, but there were no early reports of injuries or significant damage.
This is the first time I remember experiencing one. It was definitely a weird feeling, especially since it lasted for what felt like a while (only 10-20 seconds in “real” world time, though). Anyone else wake up and feel it?
Loading ...
Apr 18th, 2008 at 16:41:49
I slept right through it. Many people here are talking about it though.
Apr 18th, 2008 at 17:10:39
Yes, I felt it and the one that hit at 11:16 am EST that registered a 4.6. By the way the one this morning was downgraded to a 5.2. Check out my site for more details of both experiences.
Congrats on feeling your first earthquake! It was not my first but I will probably remember these two more than I will any of the others that I have felt in the past. I think for sure this is probably one of the biggest ones that I have ever felt. Most the rest were as a young child.
There was one in June of 2002 that registered 4.6 just west of Evansville that was felt slightly in Lexington.
Apr 18th, 2008 at 17:21:50
Check out this link to see more about the quake and aftershocks. You can also participate and provide your own account of the quake.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Maps/US10/32.42.-90.-80.php
Apr 18th, 2008 at 23:35:20
Thanks for passing on the link, Robin.
I do remember hearing about the one in Evansville, but definitely didn’t feel it. It still amazes me that this was “only” a 5.2 but was so pronounced here.
Apr 19th, 2008 at 21:09:12
I was in my car driving to work, so I didn’t feel anything. When I got to work people were asking me about it and I had no idea what they were talking about!
Apr 21st, 2008 at 16:52:14
jeremy was driving to work that early?!? that sucks!
i slept through it. i sleep through everything. aparently there was a very small one when i was little that could be felt in frankfort (i don’t know the origin or even if my mind is just making up history) but i don’t remember it at all. i know i’ve slept though a handful of tornados before, though.
Apr 23rd, 2008 at 06:58:37
Yeah, I know, it’s shocking that I could wake up that early. I actually get in to work at 6am. It’s by choice, though. Just to miss all the traffic!
Apr 23rd, 2008 at 11:33:01
It woke me up too. I also thought I must have dreamt it, especially since the dogs didn’t make any sound, I figured they would have been whining or barking or something.