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The biggest earthquake I've ever felt
(I wrote this on Facebook, but my main computer is still in being fixed and I could only post properly today).
That was a RIDE!! OK, the Geology nerd in me wouldn't calm down for ages.
First and most importantly, all fine here. No damage to us as far as I can tell. Lost power for about 40 mins, internet took another 10 but that's all.
So ...
First a low rumbling. Like a truck, but lower. Making a slow, unfamiliar vibration. Waaaaayyyyy lower. Which I suddenly recognised for what it was. Earthquake P waves, going on long enough and deep enough to signal something big.
*Then* the shaking started.
I remember the Newcastle '89 earthquake. That was like a huge truck passing but taking half a minute to do it. This was deeper, wider, longer. The whole thing was a bit over a minute. The deep rumble was about 10-15 seconds, then the real shaking went from "oh here come the S waves" to "oh hell - we probably should take shelter". That was when it went from "bed shaking like someone's pushing it" (S waves) to "Is that our rafters creaking? Oh fuck ..." (Surface waves)
As I'm writing this, I'm hearing a distant rumbing, and I had to stop for a moment to be sure that it was just a late-flying plane. I think. I'm not sure any more. (Just checked. Plane.)
The house just got to the "creaking" stage when it all died off. We stood, unsure, then dressed and checked around. No power, and not game to use gas until we knew it was safe. Also just waiting in case there was a second, larger one - sometimes there is. But no. That was the main one. I didn't feel the main aftershock.
We were lucky. I have to apologise to the guy that built the house - it's sturdier than I though. As far as I know, Melbourne damage is some walls down and concrete cracks. Similar out in Mansfield where the epicentre was.
I'm still squeeing.
That was a RIDE!! OK, the Geology nerd in me wouldn't calm down for ages.
First and most importantly, all fine here. No damage to us as far as I can tell. Lost power for about 40 mins, internet took another 10 but that's all.
So ...
First a low rumbling. Like a truck, but lower. Making a slow, unfamiliar vibration. Waaaaayyyyy lower. Which I suddenly recognised for what it was. Earthquake P waves, going on long enough and deep enough to signal something big.
*Then* the shaking started.
I remember the Newcastle '89 earthquake. That was like a huge truck passing but taking half a minute to do it. This was deeper, wider, longer. The whole thing was a bit over a minute. The deep rumble was about 10-15 seconds, then the real shaking went from "oh here come the S waves" to "oh hell - we probably should take shelter". That was when it went from "bed shaking like someone's pushing it" (S waves) to "Is that our rafters creaking? Oh fuck ..." (Surface waves)
As I'm writing this, I'm hearing a distant rumbing, and I had to stop for a moment to be sure that it was just a late-flying plane. I think. I'm not sure any more. (Just checked. Plane.)
The house just got to the "creaking" stage when it all died off. We stood, unsure, then dressed and checked around. No power, and not game to use gas until we knew it was safe. Also just waiting in case there was a second, larger one - sometimes there is. But no. That was the main one. I didn't feel the main aftershock.
We were lucky. I have to apologise to the guy that built the house - it's sturdier than I though. As far as I know, Melbourne damage is some walls down and concrete cracks. Similar out in Mansfield where the epicentre was.
I'm still squeeing.
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Glad you're all okay...
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I enjoyed waking up in Europe to a flood of Earthquake Facts that weren't about the ring of fire, but rather about Australia. Neat earthquake facts!
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That you had fun is just a bonus.
-m
PS - you're weird and I love that you.
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