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22 Dec 03 - 04:35 PM (#1077956) Subject: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry About two hours ago we experienced the worst earthquake of our lives. Magnitude 6.5 centered about 11 miles away. This computer would not be operating now were it not for the fact that both of us were nearby and we each grabbed part of it. We were not injured at all but it scared hell out of us. Mudlark is OK, too. As far as we know, there are no other catters close enough to have been injured. Just had yet another aftershock. Our house was a mess but it's mostly cleaned up now. We had some minor damage but nothing major. Lost a cheap turntable and some nicknacks (some of which had sentimental value). Just had a big aftershock which caused us to vacate the house. There goes another one. There were several buildings down and at least one fatality in Paso Robles which is between Mudlark and us. Our TV and stereo took a tumble but they seem to be working OK. Bev and Jerry |
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22 Dec 03 - 04:48 PM (#1077962) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Peace Glad you're both safe. Are disaster services or the public address system telling people to prepare for more? Also, put a cup of bleach into a clean bathtub. Fill it with water. Sometimes the water lines get snapped. |
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22 Dec 03 - 04:53 PM (#1077966) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Sorcha Good heavens! Glad all are ok! |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:05 PM (#1077972) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry Latest word from the United States Geological Survey is that we should expect many aftershocks some of magnitude 5 or more. They also said that there is a possibility of an even bigger quake in the immediate future in which case they would call this one a foreshock. Translation: They have no idea. It's been almost three hours now and we've had at least a dozen aftershocks. Our mess is just about cleaned up now. We are less than 50 miles from the San Andreas earthquake fault which is the major fault in the U.S. It extends several hundred miles through both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Mudlark is considerably closer to this fault but that wasn't the one that moved this time. There are now at least two fatalities in Paso Robles and one historic house burned to the ground in our town. We haven't been into town yet but we'll post again after we have been. Bev and Jerry |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:19 PM (#1077976) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Rapparee You might want to stay put instead of going into town. Take care! |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:19 PM (#1077977) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Donuel Good luck, sounds pretty darn violent |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:27 PM (#1077981) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Tig Glad to hear that you and Mudlark are OK. Firecat (daughter) is Mudlark's SS this year and immediately worried about her. Hope the aftershocks die away quickly and that no more damage is caused. Look after yourselves. Love,hugs and butterflies Tig and Firecat XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:38 PM (#1077991) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: GUEST,heric B&J: I felt your quake down here in San Diego. (I'm up in a high rise, on rollers.) But I wanted to mention that fifty miles away from the SA fault should make you feel quite safe at least as far as the BIG ONE is concerned. I read about a study in Japan which showed something like 90% of the damage is within three miles of the fault (or something like that - no less than 80% within 5 miles.) It's your own local faults that are the issue (if that makes you feel any better.) |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:45 PM (#1077995) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Peace Should have added that the tub is for drinking purposes. The bleach will keep it free from bacteria. Cover the tub. And keep in touch. |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:49 PM (#1077998) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: AllisonA(Animaterra) No radio on at home, car radio doesn't work, no tv- the Mudcat is where I get all the news! Take care, Bev and Jerry, and stay safe! Mudlark, you ok? |
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22 Dec 03 - 05:55 PM (#1078003) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: GUEST,heric "It was pretty sharp," said Sharyn Conn, receptionist at the oceanside Cypress Cove Inn in Cambria. "It really went on and on. I just got everyone under the door frames and rode it out." This from the news. Those are the really scary kind. Start off with a bang and then keep going. I'm taking my kids to Cambria on Friday. I've always dreaded their first one of these things. Glad they missed it. (Sorry you didn't.) |
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22 Dec 03 - 06:14 PM (#1078014) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Alaska Mike 6.5 is a pretty good shaker. We had a 7.6 last year which shook for over 2.5 minutes. Tossed things around pretty good all over Alaska. Still not in the same category as the 9.2 that blasted Alaska back in 1964. Glad you are OK, nothing like a good earthquake to make you feel insignificant. |
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22 Dec 03 - 06:55 PM (#1078039) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry Just back from town and there is minimal damage. One old building lost all of the windows on the second floor (first floor for you brits). Building is old but the windows were new! The old house we're trying to restore lost the top of its chimney. Most shops are open except for a couple that are still cleaning up. We have one shop which sells exclusively very expensive, museum quality glass. It's closed and all of its merchandise has been moved to the floor. We looked through the window and didn't see anything broken. The pharmacy had some stuff knocked down but was cleaned up by the time we got there. Same for one of the grocery stores. The other grocery is still closed. Apparently, we got the worst shaking of anyone. Our house is three stories tall and we were at the top. Most of the mess was up there where we were. On the lowest level hardly anything was disturbed. No one we talked too was shaken like we were. We are having a very long aftershock right now. Lasted more than thirty seconds but did no further damage. Think we're alright now. Bev and Jerry |
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22 Dec 03 - 07:02 PM (#1078042) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Murray MacLeod "...........nothing like a good earthquake to make you feel insignificant.......... Well, Mike, a medium-sized asteroid, or Yellowstone Park erupting, or Cumbre Vieja collapsing and wiping out the Eastern Seaboard with a tsunami would do the trick as well, if not better ... :-) Seriously, I hope there are no further tremors in California. |
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22 Dec 03 - 07:45 PM (#1078063) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: mg oh please don't say tsunami or I am doomed... Hope everyone is OK from the earthquake.mg |
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22 Dec 03 - 07:49 PM (#1078068) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Amos Mudlark's fine aside from a couple of shelves that got knocked down and she sounds excellent. Down here in San Diego, I didn't even feel it. A |
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22 Dec 03 - 08:51 PM (#1078099) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: mack/misophist This is a shock. I didn't feel a thing in San Francisco. Just turned the radio on for the the first time in several months to see what's going on. So far, not a word. |
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22 Dec 03 - 09:08 PM (#1078106) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: mack/misophist My apologies. Here in the Bay Area we tend to assume that all quakes are local. |
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22 Dec 03 - 10:57 PM (#1078157) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry We saw our little town mentioned on the BBC News today. Who woulda thought? We're still having lots and lots of afteshocks - about one every couple of minutes. This is keeping us nervous but none have been really large - just large enough to scare hell out of us and then they go away for a couple of minutes more. We're hanging in there. Bev and Jerry |
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22 Dec 03 - 11:03 PM (#1078160) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: SINSULL News coverage here shows lots of damage. Anyone else in the area? NicoleC? Openmike? Stay safe, guys. |
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22 Dec 03 - 11:56 PM (#1078186) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: open mike NOT SURE WHERE YOUR LITTE TOWN IS , but i hope the worst is over now and that you can settle back and be safe and secure! Paso Robles is south somewhere..maybe by sas luis obispo? or farther south? I am north of sacramento , and Joe is near "Sacto" (east i think) nicole is south of there, how far south i do not know....hope she is ok. Edain is in san diego now too - glad to hear there was no shake-up there, as they have had enough natural disasters with the fires...go here for info: http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/ |
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23 Dec 03 - 12:40 AM (#1078208) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Amos Nicole is southern Orange County. Haven't heard from her but I assume okay. We are still washing down ash layers that settle on our various neighborhoods from time to time from the fires -- fine-grained ash clouds made from all the things that go into houses, cars, and lawn furniture....sheesh!! But we have gotten a little rain! And the days are pretty nice. As long as we don't all fall in to the ocean, we'll be fine! A |
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23 Dec 03 - 01:18 AM (#1078232) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Mudlark Hello from Earthquake country. 10PM here and it's my first chance to get to my computer...spent the first hour cleaning up, the next 10 on the phone. Unlike many I've had both power and phone since shortly after the quake. I was in a tiny rural P.O. when it hit, and even at least 30 miles east and half that many south from epicenter the jolting and rolling was strong enough to knock people sideways and seemed to go on forever. I rushed home to find 3 terrified dogs huddled by the door. They tend to den up in the living room when I'm gone and that's where most of the stuff came off shelves. A big mess but I was glad to find that none of my husband's pots were broken, tho several of mine were in pieces. But no structural damage, stove pipes all still vertical, water heater upright, and the water tower that looms over the buildings at the back of the property still upright as well, a big relief all round. All TV coverage is of Paso Robles, but there is also extensive damage to homes in a hilly section of Atascadero, 10 mi. south. Seems like the ridges get hit harder than the low country. Chimneys toppled, many large windows blown out, some homes already condemned. Friends in that area, who have been serious collectors for years, lost about 80% of the breakables, as well as appliances that just flew off counters, all their crockery, glassware, plus 3 large acquariums. Their Xmas tree, covered with antique ornaments, toppled, destroying the lot. It's not a Christmas the Central Coast will forget in a hurry. When Mother Nature flexes her muscles it instantly rearranges priorities. I love the coast and live 35 miles inland, a situation that until today seemed less than ideal. I've often wished I lived closer to town (Paso) too, but I feel pretty lucky tonight to be right where I am. Thanks for all your concern... |
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23 Dec 03 - 07:02 AM (#1078325) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Liz the Squeak Thinking of you all, here. Take care and don't waste time posting to us - get the heck outta there!!! LTS and Limpit |
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23 Dec 03 - 08:55 AM (#1078385) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: GUEST,Santa Edain is OK, but she noticed the tremors. |
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23 Dec 03 - 10:53 AM (#1078466) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Edain Was sat in a chair and felt a slight shake for about 2 seconds max although a friend in Fontana didn't feel a thing |
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23 Dec 03 - 11:44 AM (#1078511) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry Aftershocks are diminishing in size and happening less often although we had a 4.2 around 3:40 AM today (Tuesday). We did not get much sleep last night because the shaking kept waking us up. According to the radio, the mountains that separate us from Mudlark are a foot higher today than they were yesterday at this time. We haven't heard of any houses being significantly damaged but Mudlark probably has better connections than the TV stations. We remember the Loma Prieta earthquake several years ago when all the TV coverage was of San Francisco while much of nearby Hollister was destroyed. But, everything will be better today - Arnold is coming to look things over. Bev and Jerry |
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23 Dec 03 - 12:04 PM (#1078543) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Little Hawk Whew! That's an experience I hope to avoid in this life, along with a few others I can think of. Anyway, it's good to hear people reporting in so the rest of us know you're all right. Never a dull moment in California, that's what they say... |
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23 Dec 03 - 12:13 PM (#1078549) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: NicoleC It rolled here for a good 30 seconds or so quite gently. Didn't even splash any water out of the aquarium. Compared to hurricanes and tornados, I'll take quakes any day. |
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23 Dec 03 - 12:16 PM (#1078550) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Amos Oh, vell, den!! Iff Ahnoldt is comink to look ve haff nuddink to fear, ja? Dat's vary goot!! I'm glad we all ducked another possible catastrophe and lived to bar chords another day! :>) A |
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23 Dec 03 - 07:59 PM (#1078884) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Col K Glad to hear that you are all well and not suffering too much damage.Are your 3 dogs now settled again Mudlark, I hope so. I hope that you have not lost too much in the quake and its afters.Thanks again for the pressys, I've been a good boy and not opened them yet. Thanks Santa. Love Colin |
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23 Dec 03 - 08:02 PM (#1078887) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Little Hawk I don't think our dachshunds would ever by quite the same again if they experienced an earthquake. They are insecure enough as it is, and the one thing every dachshund figures he can rely on totally is...solid ground. When they're scared they hug it like a snake. - LH |
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23 Dec 03 - 08:29 PM (#1078915) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Amos Just buy them each a bun, LH. They're cheap and when they get dirty, you can take them off and feed them to the birds! A |
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23 Dec 03 - 09:13 PM (#1078945) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: pdq Let us hope that Camp Roberts is safe. It would be a real shame to lose any of that fine architecture |
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24 Dec 03 - 06:22 AM (#1079085) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Arnie Before the Channel Tunnel was built, a geological research coy. was hired to look at the possibility of earthquakes in the region. Fortunately the English Channel (or La Manche if you're from the other side) is not in an earthquake zone. However, being nothing if not diligent, this company found in ancient French records that an earthquake was recorded in the 14th Century - no structural damage was recorded but a number of virgins in a church procession were knocked off their feet! Doesn't say if any non-virgins fell over - maybe the former are lighter? |
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24 Dec 03 - 11:26 AM (#1079237) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: GUEST,heric The gray whales are late. They are a week later than any time in recorded history. Mere coincidence....?? |
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25 Dec 03 - 05:41 AM (#1079615) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Penny S. Arnie, I don't know your sources, but the Channel Tunnel actually crosses two faults in the Paleozoic basement (one may control the shape of the valley leading up from Dover). There was a fairly major earthquake in 1382 which demolished several buildings in Canterbury and was felt in London, during debates about the Peasant's Revolt. Interestingly, considering our perceptions of the superstitious middle ages and interpretations of the lightning strike on York Minster after the installation of David Jenkins as bishop of Durham (God's wrath), no-one seems to have suggested that the earthquake was anything but an earthquake. In the 1930's there was another fairly major quake at Brussels, felt as far as Brighton, at least, where buildings shook and people ran into the streets. (There was also a fairly dramatic one centred at Colchester in 18something or other, felt as far as London, where the Great Tower of Parliament shook, causing workmen to run down to ground level pdq, and a small tsunami was seen crossing the Thames, but this probably involved another fault system.) SE England is not seismically inactive, and could be dangerous. If the Colchester quake had occurred on a Sunday, there would have been may deaths, as a number of church roofs and spires fell. As it was, one person died from a heart attack. Quakes are infrequent, but do cause damage, and because they are not at a plate margin, the effects travel further. There is a web site which lists British earthquakes - read it and see if the Channel is or is not an earthquake zone. Useful map for planning Channel Crossings - note size of blobs Home Page - rummaging about a bit will uncover a reference to the Channel If all the Tunnel people could report was a line of French nuns being discomnobulated, they were either not researching properly, or attempting to spin the situation. Probably the latter, since much was made of the grouting procedure which sealed fissures in the marl surrounding the tunnel being earthquake proof. Penny |
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25 Dec 03 - 05:07 PM (#1079841) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry We can see how someone could have died of a heart attack during an earthquake. We were terrified and still feel very nervous and uptight. We've had 19 aftershocks that were magnitude 4.0 or greater and each one shakes the house enough to raise our blood pressure considerably. The United States Geological Survey quotes the odds at at least two in three that we'll have an aftershock of magnitude 5.0 or greater within a week of the initial quake which was three days ago. We had a magnitude 3.5 aftershock just 10 minutes ago. If you really want to see what we're going through, click here. Bev and Jerry |
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25 Dec 03 - 05:30 PM (#1079856) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Peace We're praying for y'all out there. Keep safe. |
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26 Dec 03 - 04:12 AM (#1080096) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Penny S. Bev and Jerry, I've been following your reports - it sounds bad. I don't think I would find it easy to cope with, and like Brucie, I've got you all in in my prayers. I just couldn't let Arnie's comment go. I couldn't find Richter levels for our little quakes, but used "fairly major" to mean "large heavy things fell down". There are Mercalli levels for the recent quakes, which are probably more helpful, but the historical ones have been hacked out (why?). I don't think it would need a huge one to compromise a structure like the Channel Tunnel. The active faults might originate in the Paleozoic basement, but they do project into more recent deposits - I've seen minor faults with offsets in feet at the surface in Tertiary rocks, which may affect post glacial material. I think people over here - in the South East at any rate - would have a stronger emotional reaction to a small quake, because we don't expect them. My father assures me that I wouldn't like the feel, as he experienced the Brussels one in Brighton, and when I interviewed people who had experienced a smallish one on the East Coast of Kent, they were clearly disturbed by ornaments falling over. The nearest I've experienced was when an oil tanker exploded off Dover in the night, and that was something I wouldn't want to repeat. More bad news from Iran, I have just heard - the shape of that country can be picked out on a seismic map of the Earth. One more burden in that area. Penny |
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26 Dec 03 - 06:12 AM (#1080148) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: McGrath of Harlow Iran earthquake 'kills thousands' "As many as several thousand people are feared dead after a powerful earthquake hit the ancient city of Bam in south-eastern Iran. " |
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26 Dec 03 - 12:14 PM (#1080285) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: NicoleC Current estimates are 5,000-6,000 dead in Iran, and the quake was reportedly a 6.3. A 6.5, remember is TWICE as strong as a 6.3. Modern building codes (and the money to build that way) are a wonderful thing. |
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26 Dec 03 - 12:19 PM (#1080286) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: GUEST,Mudjack I have been wondering how The Pravers were riding out the storm. Glad to hear all is well exceopt for maybe a few tattered nerves. Mudjack |
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26 Dec 03 - 05:38 PM (#1080438) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Penny S. Richter magnitude figures which measure the energy released by a quake don't always convey the effects of an earthquake well. Apart from the difficulty of conveying the logarithmic relationships, as NicoleC indicated, the energy may be released close to the surface (very bad) or deep down (less bad), or in different rock formations (nice hard stuff better, sloppy Bay Area landfill very bad). It would be better if reports used Mercalli intensity figures, rather like the Beaufort Wind Scale, as they relate directly to the damage and visible and felt effects. Richter information Mercalli scale Without having more details of the position of the two quakes, it would be hard to make comparisons. Looking at overflight images of the Iran area, it was interesting how much did still seem to be standing (though aftershocks will change that.) Also, much was made of a 2000 year old fort that has fallen. That suggests that Bam has not been an area much affected by quakes, and therefore less likely to have derived a safer vernacular architecture. The area is in the middle of Iran, and it is the edges where most quakes show up on maps. Penny |
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27 Dec 03 - 05:14 PM (#1080628) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton Bev and Jerry, Sorry you had to go through this. It's a scary thing! I was fairly close to the Sylmar quake in L.A. that tore up a few freeways. Scared the hellouta me. I used to live out there and have been through some. One time I was in Tapia Park in Malibu lying on my back gazing at the clouds and I got quite a back rub. I fear for those in the heavilly populated San Bernadino area of LA who are inside a dangerous fault line. Fires, floods, earthquakes....ah the joy of California living. Frank |
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27 Dec 03 - 06:31 PM (#1080665) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: The Fooles Troupe Disasters everywhere - large number killed in China when poison gas escapes from well blowout... |
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27 Dec 03 - 07:02 PM (#1080675) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry This is the first time we've ever been this close to the epicenter of such a large quake. We realize that we're very lucky to have not sustained any real damage. Right now loud noises and small bumps still cause the pulse to race, rather like post tramatic stress syndrome we think. The aftershocks are becoming less frequent, we actually got some sleep the last two nights. This morning we had another 4.0 aftershock and the adrenaline was flowing. The USGS says that most aftershocks will occur within a 5-10 mile radius of the epicenter in a 6.5 quake. We're right on the egde of that. In speaking to friends in town we found that our house, in particular, really reacts to the movement more than most. It has a very small footprint and is three stoies tall. It's also new enough to have had special hardware installed when it was built to help resist earthquakes, thanks to the county building codes. We'll thank our builder next time we run into him in town. The "experts" say that there is a possibility of a 5.0 aftershock for at least ten days after the initial shock. We'll be leaving for Camp Harmony tuesday and are looking forward to relaxing there. Bev and Jerry |
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27 Dec 03 - 07:35 PM (#1080686) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: kendall Makes us all realize that we are "Johnnies come lately" on this planet, eh? Be safe and well you all. |
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28 Dec 03 - 12:00 PM (#1080958) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Bev and Jerry In our last posting we neglected to thank all of you for your concern and prayers. We do thank you all. Bev and Jerry |
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01 Jan 04 - 06:39 PM (#1084198) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: GUEST,heric I just finished a five day inspection of San Luis Obispo County and I can assure you that neither Bev nor Jerry was overreacting - That was one earthshaking event, judging from the damage I saw. Many major cracks in hotels and restaurants, parking lots and highways. The parking lot next to City Hall in Paso Robles opened up to reveal the mudbaths of hell - i.e. sulphuric gas-scented mud which they're trying to drain. Damages expected to exceed $200,000,000 (but apparently not enough to gain FEMA monetary aid, absent sufficient politicking skills by Arnold.) |
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01 Jan 04 - 07:52 PM (#1084249) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Mudlark And the last I heard, nobody has come up yet with a way to cap the sulpher spring that is releasing 500 gal/min. (Can that be right? I know that's what the local newscaster said.) The entire town smells like rotten eggs, or worse, and at night it is a Stygian scene, mounds of earth, huge machines hulking in the dark, a few night work lights casting deep shadows and in the middle this plume of evil smelling steam... |
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01 Jan 04 - 09:29 PM (#1084300) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Amos Sounds like a dramatization of Mordor!! Hope you guys can conquer it.... A |
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01 Jan 04 - 11:37 PM (#1084356) Subject: RE: BS: California Earthquake From: Deckman Hey Mudlark ... sounds like possible ballad material? Perhaps a re-working of Bob Gibsons "Mighty Day?" CHEERS, Bob |
