So, about 10 minutes ago, there was, as initial reports come in, a 5.8 earthquake with the epicenter at Chino Hills, California. The low rumble started as I sat at my desk, and I noted to my co-workers that we’re getting a nice little earthquake. Then as it continued, it got significantly stronger and one of my other co workers comes out of his cube to look at me and ask “What’s going on?” I can only laugh and the question. The rumbling continues, this is quite a long earthquake, I think it lasted for a good minute in total. It has been a while since I last felt an earthquake of this size.
Being born and raised in California, earthquakes are a normal occurrence and for the most part, we don’t feel 99% of them. It is only these bigger ones that we get. So my reaction is somewhat subdued. Some of the employees from out of state or those that have not lived in California for very long on the other hand, pretty much freaked shit, and bolted. As the grown shook, the thought to duck under my desk and ride out the rest of the shaking wandered into my mind. But I looked around for things falling, and based on the level of movement, I just stood and pretty much enjoyed the shaking. I’m pretty sure that if the shaking increased, or if I was in the vicinity of large heavy object that could topple and crush vital organs and stuff, my level of alarm would be increased. But I’ve been here, done that, so it’s not a big deal. As the dust settles, I did a quick check of the lab at work to make sure the servers are still fine. Finding out that the earthquake registered 5.8 and was epicentered in Chino Hills, I gave my dad a call to see if he was alright; apparently he was outside his house when the ground started to wobble, and he just looked at his house shaking. Everything is fine.
Now this goes back to those folks that have never experienced something like this; this was completely unexpected. To put this into perspective, the solid ground that we walk on, that we drive on, that we build things to sit upon, started to slowly sway side to side, then started to roll a bit, and the intensity got stronger as this continued. And as we click on latimes.com or cnn.com we are greeted with headlines in bold BREAKING NEWS! 5.8 EARTHQUAKE
Now, I fully understand the fear or the unknown; and how folks from out of state feel. I’m fairly blase and indifferent to the shaking only because I have experienced this many a times. Once upon a time I was in basic training for the Air Force in Lackland AFB, Texas. While out on the drill pad, the clouds above us started to circle and form little funnels. Having never experienced something as such, I freaked shit, I tried to remain calm, and our drill instructor calmly marched(in double time) us to our barracks where we hunkered down and waited for the tornado warnings to cease. Now in the group, there were a good number of fellow Californians, with the same look for fear in their eyes. My own heart was pounding like I had run a marathon, it had started pounding hard and fast when I looked up and saw those funnels forming. Holy shit I was scared. Now among the group, there were others from Texas and other places in the world and we got assurances from these folks that funnels form all the time, and it is not too often that one touches down. But there is a difference, earthquakes are unpredictable, while weather patterns can be educationally guessed upon.
So the fear of the earthquake is not unfounded. Coming from the recent events in Chengdu, and the media coverage of the event; one cannot completely laugh off such movements as an entertaining shake. But I know that the media, more often than not, reports only the dark side of things. Sensationalizing and blowing things way out of proportion.
And as I continue to write this, Cal-Tech has downgraded the magnitude to 5.4. Really, nothing to see here, move along. This isn’t the big earthquake we are all warned about. Now is probably not the best time to check your storage of “earthquake preparedness” stockpiles of water, canned goods, and Twinkies. The cattle that is the local population will most likely be at the stores in droves replenishing the supplies they “reserved” for such an occasion but have used up since the last time there was a fairly sizable rattle.
When I was young Earthquakes put the fear of God in me. Born and raised in California, I am used to them and enjoy the ride they give now, but my first one scared me something good. I was going outta state the morning of October 1, 1987. When that one hit, I remember freaking out and nose diving under the table. I was only 8 and my fear of earthquakes began… to the point where I would wish every night for no earthquakes. By the time January, 1994 came around (the 6.8 Northridge Quake)… I didn’t mind them as much. With the center 1.4 miles from my house and the only injuries was a gash in my head from a trophy, you realize they just happen and you can’t do anything about it. All you can do is be aware of whats happening around you as its happening and keep yourself outta harms way.
So I just rode it out in my office, watching the LAN cables sway, standing over by my pachinkos to make sure none fell forward and watching the stacks of pc cases. Fun little ride that we haven’t had in a while. The news is already treating it like they do the minute a drop of rain hits the pavement. (Quake watch ’08)
The ’87 quake was my first real memorable earthquake experience as well. I was in the 6th grade, waiting for the bus to arrive to take us to school. I remember we were in the middle of the street looking at the mushed carcass of a opossum that later I found out was initially hit by my neighbor on his way to work.
At first, we thought it was just some big truck rolling down the hill and quickly walked back to the sidewalk, but no truck came, and the rumbling didn’t stop. We were out in the open and kids were just acting like kids. Sorta rode the thing out and had a good amount of talk at school about it. I wasn’t scared at the time, it was just another new experience.
All the talk and stuff was exciting. Later that night, in the quietness of my own room and trying to sleep, I couldn’t. The fear finally hit me. I was indoors and the thoughts about the house collapsing in on me started forming, and at that time, I freaked shit.
Successive earthquakes, even ones where I was in bed didn’t bother me. And I had model airplanes that I built hanging from fishing line above me. Not a single one ever fell during an earthquake.
I was in Jr. High at Muscatel Jr. High school in Rosemead during the ’87 Whittier Narrows one (centered in Rosemead actually) and they walked us out to the field. We then had the day off and had to wait until the parents picked us up.
The one in ’87 impacted us more financially. The family liquor store in Rosemead felt the east-west motion and lots of bottles fell at the store. The Northridge one was much less so, despite being larger, because it involved a different directional move.