Earthquake East Coast Style

I was in India when the tsunami hit, in Iceland when the volcano erupted, and in Kathmandu when a military coup shut down the country. So when a 5.8 earthquake, the strongest on the East Coast in my lifetime, hit Virginia, where do you suppose you could find me?  Where else, but Virginia?!

Do I cause trouble wherever I go, or do I just have a good nose for sniffing out where crazy events are going to take place? 

For the East Coast, this was the strongest trembler since 1944; for the Washington area, there hasn't been one bigger since 1897. With 10 years of California living behind me, it wasn't a new experience for me, but it was definitely new for many of my East Coast colleagues. This past weekend, I visited the spectacular Shenandoah Caverns (a blog entry in the making), where I asked the tour guide whether they've ever had people in the caverns during an earthquake. "I've lived here my whole life,  and we've never had an earthquake," she said.  Maybe I jinxed things? I am one powerful woman.... ;o)

Even on the West Coast, I don't think I've ever felt one that lasted this long.  The West Coast quakes that I recall always felt like quickies, the kind where the shaking is over before you realize what it is.  This one just seemed to keep going, going, going...we could feel the shaking for almost a minute. There was minor damage throughout the area, but the only serious disruption was to phone service, as millions of people whipped out their cell phones, crashing the major networks.

Funny that after years of L.A. living, my most memorable quake will be one on the East Coast!

Comments

[Ron Walker]

If it's not a lot of trouble, can you start posting your travel plans 30 days in advance? Thanks.

[Mary]

I am now relieved that you spend so little time in Rochester.

[Basia]

Ron: LOL LOL! Here's your first heads up: I'm heading to Phoenix in September. Plan accordingly....

Mary: Yeah, I think Rochester if probably safe...

[Shannon]

And now you are bringing in a hurricane??????????

[Basia]

Shannon: Yes indeedy, a hurricane is next on my list...and I even planned ahead, and named it after my mother...;o)

[Shannon]

That is toooooo funny.. Were you there to capture it on your camera?

[Dale]

After the quake, I am sure the tour guide recalled your asking that unusual question. She must now think you are the devil! I bet she has told lots of people.

From what I heard on tv, the bedrock in the East is colder than in the West, and conducts energy better. So a quake of the same magnitude is felt more strongly in the E than it would be in the W. Explains why this was the worst you ever experienced.

[Dale]

Ron's comment is really funny!