My post is going to be necessarily short this morning because my hands are shaking. I was sitting here at the computer in my office chair a few minutes past 7:00 and suddenly heard a sort of rustling or scooting noise and it felt as if someone pushed against my chair and partially moved it. Nemo, who had been sleeping in front of the door, sprang up, put his ears back, and trotted to me.
He’s still scared.
I couldn’t believe that I had felt an earthquake for the first time in my life! But, according to Facebook, people felt it in Tulsa, Bartlesville, Tahlequah, Kansas, Texas, and I certainly felt it here in NWArkansas. Very sobering to think that, with no warning, something so powerful happened.
According to reports, it was centered around Pawnee, OK, and registered 5.6. Waiting to hear more about it.
Yep, felt it in Shady Grove
Oklahoma. I am thinking give me a tornado or good ole thunder storm I know what to do. But earthquake, I hear it coming before I felt it.
I agree, Sharon. Pretty scary.
We felt it too, Blanche! Reminds me of growing up in California. I definitely prefer earthquakes to tornadoes. They’re kind of fun (as long as they are not too powerful!).
Oh, my goodness! Spoken like a true Californian. This was the first one I’ve ever felt and I thought it was scary. So did Nemo. I can’t even imagine the tremendous power and energy that would shake solid ground for miles around.
Prayers for your safety!
Thanks, Stacy. Everyone is fine here. Damage around Pawne hut I haven’t heard of any injuries.
Blanche, earthquakes are terrifying, I understand your fear, I was lying beside the pool when the 7.1 shook California. The silence was eerie, no bird songs, just the swish of tall redwoods as they bent back and forth. The quake was such that I couldn’t get off the pool lounger, water in the pool rushed towards me and just as swiftly swept over the canyon below the house. Flat on my back I glanced at our house above me and saw windows and sliding glass doors bellowing from the pressure inside. Further up the mountain I heard the screams of a neighbor and the smashing of glass as his sun room blew apart. If the airport hadn’t been closed, Blanche, I would have been on the next plane back to England. However, as evidenced by my comment, Joe and I, plus the house, like the Biblical one, was built on rock, we survived. Sadly a friend did die in the earthquake which was centered 3 miles from our home.
Thanks, Josephine, for that vivid description. How terrifying that must have been! You are very brave not to have gone back to England! I think I probably would have. Do they not have earthquakes in England or Ireland? I’m sorry about the loss of your friend but happy that you and Joe survived.
England does have earthquakes, Blanche, not signification ones, but with so many historic buildings and houses the risk of injury is greater. My cottage was 200 years old and my family home was built in the 16th century, no earthquake building standards then. Tiled roofs, even on more recently built homes, turn into lethal weapons in high winds or the sudden shake of an earthquake.
Ireland probably has the same risk factor for earthquakes.
Many centuries ago a cliff top area, in what is now Scotland, dropped into the ocean after an earthquake on the sea bed caused a tsunami. The prehistoric village fell intact, resting on the sea bed, undisturbed until recently discovered. I did a university course on Marine archeology and Submerged worlds, fascinating, earthquakes have shaken many historic buildings from their foundations.
That is so interesting, Josephine. I had no idea. Thank you for writing. Are there pictures of the intact village?
I’ll check it out, Blanche. The last time I looked the water was too murky for good pics. Marine archeology is fascinating, I was living in Israel when the ‘Jesus Boat’, was discovered in the Sea of Galilee. Drought conditions had lowered the water level and revealed the type of fishing boat used in the time of Jesus.
That would be fascinating to see.
Neither Shirley nor I felt the earthquake, but Jammers sure knew something was wrong. He let out a wild combination scream and growl and went crazy running around the house. He’s the cat. Abby the dog slept through it.
My sympathies are with Jammers. It really scared Nemo too.
Oh my goodness! Must have been so scary!
Yes, it was but I didn’t get shaky until afterward. Joanie mentioned on Facebook they felt it too.