Earthquake in Southeast U.S.

[WOODPIE]

This is ho-hum for the west coast folks, but big news in these parts. Estimated 4.9 earthquake with epicenter in Mentone, Alabama. About 20 miles west from my house. Five o'clock this morning, my wife starts frantically shaking me awake; she's scared to death! "What the he!! is that?" I only woke up to enjoy the "finale' ", which felt like a sonic boom, or a long rolling and very powerful thunderclap. Pretty amazing, really! It was my first.

I might have this wrong, but I think I heard they estimate about fourty million dollars worth of improvements to Alabama as a result, and the Governer's Mansion was shaken completely off it's wheels.

Ed

[rcecale]

Yeah, it lasted for about 15 seconds or so...felt it all the way down here in Marietta.

Moved here from California a few years back...didn't think I'd be experiencing anymore earthquakes...boy, was I wrong!

Randy

[speeder]

Even though earthquakes are a lot more common on the west coast, the most serious ones have been in the eastern half of country. Something about the ground being more solid in the east, so the damage and shaking travels better(?) ie. much larger damage/quake area.