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30 October 2007
Did anyone else feel that? It was pretty big, so you probably did. I'm sure there are better circumstances under which to meet the neighbors. Everyone all right?
As one who was less than 2 miles from the epicenter of Northridge '94 (6.7), and about 6 miles from the Sylmar '71 (6.6), I say, PFFFFFFFFFFFFT.
Now, if this is a pre-shock to a BIG ONE, let me know when THAT happens.
Haha! Yeah, the neighbor's not from around here and was thoroughly horrified when I explained the concept of "aftershocks" to her. "You mean there's MORE?"
I felt it. Biggest one I've felt since living in the Bay Area. Was scared during that moment in which I wondered whether it was as bad as it was going to get or whether it was going to get significantly worse. Seemed to last a bit longer than usual, and my bookshelves swayed quite a lot (not surprising since they're not very sturdy).
My professor stopped class and made us go outside. I felt very California-native when I made a face at my classmates and said, "Where are we going, and why?"
I lack earthquake skills. But I do have 72hrs+ of food (and cat food!) squirreled away, so I get to feel superior anyway.
I just hope Google, Sun, Cisco, and all the other major player web bidnesses rooted there have a plan for riding out the big one. It's gonna be a huge disruption. But maybe that's what it will take to bring real estate prices down.
I think 5.6 was the biggest that ever hit when we were spitting distance from (The San Gorgonio bend, I think?) of the San Andreas. It moved my chair an inch or so, but I thought it was the dog, not an earthquake.
It shook me around in my chair. Crosbie the dog slept right through it, though.
I had a lot of fun filling out the USGS form afterwards. "Did you feel it?"
Did you feel the earthquake? _No _Yes
Were you asleep? _No _Slept through it _Woke up
How would you describe your reaction? _No answer/Don't remember _Very little reaction _Excited _Somewhat frightened _Very frightened _Extremely frightened