No alarm clock or hotel desk clerk could deliver the wake up call that I got Friday April 18th, 2008 at 4:38 a.m. It was a surreal experience and the first
time I recall ever being shakin' out of bed in such a manner.
I'm one of those Illinoisans who felt the 5.2 earthquake. I didn't know what it was at first. I live about a quarter of a mile from some rail road tracks and when trains come roaring through, it's usual to feel the house rattle and shake. But this wasn't the same! Besides, there was no roar of the train that followed the rumble.
At least 4 other aftershocks were reported throughout the morning. One of them was measured at 4.5. I had been standing out in a hall at work when some came from other areas, asking if we had just felt a slight vibration. I hadn't, but didn't doubt others did.
Minor damage was reported, but as many as 7 area states supposedly felt the early morning shake. No one was hurt, thank goodness!!
Now, I may say that it's not normal for Illinois to get earthquakes, but we do get them. In fact, we're on one of the biggest known fault lines in the U.S. called the New Madrid. For years, experts have predicted we're due for a huge quake. The last three quakes that measured over the magnitude of 8 in this are was in the winter of 1811-12 leveling virtually every home within 250 miles of the New Madrid fault line. Damage was reported as far away as Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C.
So while Friday's quake did very little damage, it is possible that we will be feeling aftershocks for days, weeks or months to come. And who knows, this 5.2 magnitude earthquake may be a preview of a bigger one to come.
The last tremor/quake I recall was in the early 80's. It was brief. Others have occurred since then. But none has measured close to the magnitude of Friday's.
I'm one of those Illinoisans who felt the 5.2 earthquake. I didn't know what it was at first. I live about a quarter of a mile from some rail road tracks and when trains come roaring through, it's usual to feel the house rattle and shake. But this wasn't the same! Besides, there was no roar of the train that followed the rumble.
At least 4 other aftershocks were reported throughout the morning. One of them was measured at 4.5. I had been standing out in a hall at work when some came from other areas, asking if we had just felt a slight vibration. I hadn't, but didn't doubt others did.
Minor damage was reported, but as many as 7 area states supposedly felt the early morning shake. No one was hurt, thank goodness!!
Now, I may say that it's not normal for Illinois to get earthquakes, but we do get them. In fact, we're on one of the biggest known fault lines in the U.S. called the New Madrid. For years, experts have predicted we're due for a huge quake. The last three quakes that measured over the magnitude of 8 in this are was in the winter of 1811-12 leveling virtually every home within 250 miles of the New Madrid fault line. Damage was reported as far away as Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C.
So while Friday's quake did very little damage, it is possible that we will be feeling aftershocks for days, weeks or months to come. And who knows, this 5.2 magnitude earthquake may be a preview of a bigger one to come.
The last tremor/quake I recall was in the early 80's. It was brief. Others have occurred since then. But none has measured close to the magnitude of Friday's.
Comments
Posted: 04/24/08 14:05:40
We actually built right on top of a so-called dormant fault line. I suppose it is. There's been no proof of a quake since we started walking upright as a species. Maybe the dinosaurs did when this place was under water. I don't know. Hope it stays that way, though.