# Did we just have an earthquake? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 23, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803 "2011-08-23T17:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/181 "2011-08-24T04:15:54Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > it cracked the Washington Monument. There seem to be [conflicting reports](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/washington-monument-damaged-in-earthquake-closes-to-visitors.html) on that. > [@](#): > > There were conflicting reports late Tuesday about whether the Washington Monument – one of the most instantly recognizable symbols of the nation’s capital – suffered any damage. The Associated Press reported that a crack was found near the top of the monument, which is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk, standing just over 555 feet tall. > > But the National Park Service posted a different message on its website that made no mention of such damage: “The NPS has completed a preliminary inspection of the Washington Monument and has found it to be structurally sound. The Washington Monument grounds are being reopened except for the plaza and the Monument itself. The NPS will continue to inspect the interior of the Monument before any decisions are made about reopening it to the public.” ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/182 "2011-08-24T04:48:15Z")
Just had a nice little aftershock… ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/183 "2011-08-24T05:07:03Z")
Yup, felt it here in Spotsylvania VA ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/184 "2011-08-24T06:30:07Z")
> [@echo6160](#): > > You and those posting like you are being fools. > > An earthquake on the east coast is a big deal. For the same reason that an earthquake on the moon would be a big deal. It’s rare, and unprepared for. You west coasters deal with them all the time and you expect them. It’s part of your life because it is as much a part of the land you live on as amber waves of grain and corn rows are in the midwest. … > Get it? 😉 I was JOKING! Do you get it? Clearly, I wouldn’t be joking if there had been any serious injuries or deaths from the quake. So far I haven’t heard of any. I’m glad the quake has been more of a nuisance than anything. We West Coasters are just fatalistic about quakes, that’s all. The experts say that “The Big One” is inevitable, but no one (and I mean no one) can predict when or exactly where. It could be next week or it could be in 500 years. Sort of like the next major terrorist act wherever you live. So why worry about anything like that? I’m also not laughing at people freaking out about today’s earthquake. I find people’s reactions more intriguing than humorous, sort of like watching someone’s reaction after their first roller coaster ride. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/185 "2011-08-24T07:02:51Z")
We just had a tiny earthquake about 20 minutes ago. 3.6 2011/08/23 - 11:36pm 4 km ( 3 mi) NNE of San Leandro, CA 2.3 2011/08/23 - 11:41pm 5 km ( 3 mi) NNE of San Leandro, CA San Leandro is south of Oakland in the East Bay of San Francisco. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/186 "2011-08-24T09:27:19Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2AnNlyDcySY/maxresdefault.jpg "DC / Virginia Earthquake Aftermath") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AnNlyDcySY) Earthquake damage, Tyson’s Corner ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/187 "2011-08-24T10:59:04Z")
Well, there’s a reason not to want a close-in parking space! ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/188 "2011-08-24T11:27:28Z")
I’m just friggin glad I wasn’t standing there at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/189 "2011-08-24T12:14:05Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > The Federal government did early dismissal in the DC area; will decide by 4am tomorrow whether we’re expected to show up in the morning. They sent us home yesterday afternoon from our own little Fed. building here in Rockville while they checked for structural damage. We’re open today and everything’s fine–but there only seems to be one topic of conversation. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/190 "2011-08-24T12:33:31Z")
We didn’t feel shit. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Das\_Glasperlenspiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/das_glasperlenspiel/32/2944_2.png) [@Das\_Glasperlenspiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Das_Glasperlenspiel)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/191 "2011-08-24T13:28:45Z")
Another “felt it here” in Ottawa. I’m on the 10th floor of a rather elderly (60s vintage) government office building. The rumble sort of came up through my chair and I asked if anyone was moving furniture. Then a co-worker said his coatrack and hangers were swaying. This building is not designed to withstand earthquakes and this was the second (albeit mild) rumbler in a year. I want to move.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/192 "2011-08-24T14:32:28Z")
March 1, 2010–I fall downstairs and break off the top of my wristbone. August 23, 2011–I am walking downstairs and things start shaking. I immediately grab the banister with both hands and start shaking and screaming. The people who were there later said they had never heard screams as terrifying in their life.:eek: After it stopped, it was half an hour before I could get my hands unclutched from the banister and finish walking downstairs. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/193 "2011-08-24T19:00:50Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > There seem to be [conflicting reports](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/washington-monument-damaged-in-earthquake-closes-to-visitors.html) on that. Looks like there was damage… This [picture](http://news.yahoo.com/photos/top-washington-monument-seen-washington-wednesday-aug-24-photo-142005323.html) shows a crack in the structure (bottom center). ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/194 "2011-08-25T00:20:08Z")
> [@nivlac](#): > > I was JOKING! Do you get it? Clearly, I wouldn’t be joking if there had been any serious injuries or deaths from the quake. So far I haven’t heard of any. I’m glad the quake has been more of a nuisance than anything. We West Coasters are just fatalistic about quakes, that’s all. The experts say that “The Big One” is inevitable, but no one (and I mean no one) can predict when or exactly where. It could be next week or it could be in 500 years. Sort of like the next major terrorist act wherever you live. So why worry about anything like that? I’m also not laughing at people freaking out about today’s earthquake. I find people’s reactions more intriguing than humorous, sort of like watching someone’s reaction after their first roller coaster ride. Even on the West Coast, an earthquake that causes [significant damage](http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-08-24/Small-Va-towns-regroup-reassess-after-earthquake/50125782/1)to buildings is big news. ---
**Author:** ![automagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@automagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/automagic)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/195 "2011-08-25T00:48:08Z")
I lived in NY for 23 years and moved to SoCal last year and still have never felt an earthquake in my life. I miss everything. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/196 "2011-08-25T03:51:03Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > Looks like there was damage… > > This [picture](http://news.yahoo.com/photos/top-washington-monument-seen-washington-wednesday-aug-24-photo-142005323.html) shows a crack in the structure (bottom center). It’s theoretically possible that crack was already there. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/197 "2011-08-25T05:11:09Z")
BIG shake just occurred! ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/198 "2011-08-25T05:17:13Z")
OK…probably not that big, but it shook the whole house. Pretty damn disturbing… ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/199 "2011-08-25T05:48:22Z")
I have not felt any aftershocks. I feel left out - NOT! a ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803/200 "2011-08-25T07:36:05Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > It’s theoretically possible that crack was already there. Hmm… I thought that my post included that little caveat. But I stand by my ignorant assertion. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-just-have-an-earthquake/593803.md?page=11)