We had a moderate earthquake today, that I guess might have made the national news. A 5.6 quake centered in the south bay about 20 miles from my house.
I have been through a few "strong" earthquakes. For me, the defining factor to determining a "strong" earthquake is the irrevocable desire to run. Typically, some very specific things happen that make an earthquake "strong".
Someone tells you about it before it happens.
All car alarms in the world go off.
Things begin to fall, fly, tip over, or lose their moorings.
Enough time passes during an earthquake that it becomes important to talk about it while it is happening.
2 comments:
5.6 is moderate???? Sheesh.
I have been through a few "strong" earthquakes. For me, the defining factor to determining a "strong" earthquake is the irrevocable desire to run. Typically, some very specific things happen that make an earthquake "strong".
Someone tells you about it before it happens.
All car alarms in the world go off.
Things begin to fall, fly, tip over, or lose their moorings.
Enough time passes during an earthquake that it becomes important to talk about it while it is happening.
It feels much better to be outside.
I become afraid.
I was using the scale defined by the USGS:
Q: What are the earthquake magnitude classes?
The official story:
Great; M > =8
Major; 7 < =M < 7.9
Strong; 6 < = M < 6.9
Moderate: 5 < =M < 5.9
Light: 4 < =M < 4.9
Minor: 3 < =M < 3.9
Micro: M < 3
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