The Earth Moved

A few minutes ago we had a 5.8 (witness map here)(USGS) 5.4 (CalTech), 30 second movement earthquake here in Los Angeles. It was a low rumble build up, where you would think the construction site across the street was bringing in the big equipment to drop something huge, then it got bigger to where you knew it was an earthquake. It's the massive roaring sound coming from the earth that gives the primal mind the first clue. The whole floor made waves and columns swayed, then a big jolt burst underneath where you would lose your balance walking as if on a ship in rough seas.

I panicked and chose to take refuge against a small wall on the back side of our loft hoping that if this was the Big One this wall would create a triangle of space for me not to be crushed. The cats scrambled for behind the washing machine, which is kind of the smartest choice actually. The washer would likely create a little triangle tent if one were right next to it should the whole thing come down.

I tried to make myself roll up next to the sofa back for that triangle support trick as I was advised from emergency prep study but it felt so venerable to be in the open space! I couldn't do it.

This thankfully was not the Big One. Some small things fell off shelves, some cement rubble fell from a crack in the ceiling over my desk. No broken windows or shattered ceramics even. The radio is saying the quake ruptured 8 miles underneath the surface thus making it's percussive force dissipate in relative gentle waves.

One lesson from this is that both and line and cell phones were worthless. One can be sure that will be the case for any disaster. The power in this case was on and I was able to tell Paul that I was alright via TWITTER! Time to hook up with Skipe or Ooma voice over internet for this reason.

The first call that got through after the quake was from a telemarketer. Cockroaches.

Off to survey damage and locate all cats.

Take care all, Shelley