Speaking of Earthquakes..

[susan silva]

We had one in Northern California again, and I was talking to a friend who has never been in one.  I was wondering how many out in DeskDemonland has never experienced an earthquake?  Not that I want anyone to, I have had my fair share and don't want any more!  

When we had the 1989 earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area I was on BART (for those that dont know what BART is it is an UNDERGROUND railway and about 6 months pregnant with my daughter), train thank god was stopped at the station, but it was  just about pitch black trying to get out.  Outside you saw rubble from buildings rubbing together, broken glass.   I remember it took me about 3 hours to get to my car, and when I did I heard "bay bridge collapsed" on the radio.  In my mind the whole bridge collapsed (it was just part but serious).  Nope, I have had my full share of earthquakes... but you never know.

5.9 up north from here, yesterday.  Just wondering who has never felt one.  (I guess I am glad, i haven't experience hurrricane, nor tornadoes..)

[peaches2160]

We had a slight one here in the south a few weeks ago.  We felt it but did not know what it was since we never get them.  It was a weird feeling though. I remember the one in 89 you are referring to.  We had several colleagues out there in San Fran at a big meeting.  They were pretty shaken but not hurt. 

[jennika]

I remember the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco.  I was stuck in traffic and didn't realize how big it was until later.  I was in stop and go traffic on the peninsula (flat freeway area) and it didnt even hit me what was happening until it was about over.  I still feel for the people who were driving home on freeways that collapsed.  There are few events in life that stick to you.  That day, 9-11, and a few others do for me.

[msmarieh]

Oh, I totally forgot to come back and update this thread. Chicago had one last week! Originally thought to be 4.3, it was downgraded to 3.8. Was about 25 miles from me and I felt it as did a lot of people at work. We just thought snowplows hit something LOL.

[susan silva]

When I was on BART, I actually thought there were some  punk kids trying to rock the train back and forth and didnt think much of it until the lights went off.  It wasn't till I got out side and saw.. dust and rubble from buildings rubbing up against each other I realized.. hmm this was a decent sized earth quake.   I actually worry about places like Chicago and smaller areas that aren't on a fault line (like the Seattle one a few years ago)  California is built for earthquakes where as there are many cities that aren't.   Just like Haiti, their structures weren't built for earthquakes, at least here they are.

[msmarieh]

There's a BIG fault line in southern IL - in fact the biggest earthquake on record in the US struck there in the New Madrid fault. I know from my Red Cross Disaster Services experience that when it eventually goes again, it will likely rupture the gas lines to northern Illinois. We're totally unprepared. I at least have earthquake insurance, which I'm sure most people in the area don't.

[peaches2160]

We southerners are not prepared either.  I know there is a fault line somewhere in south GA I believe.  I know just the slight one we had felt weird.