Why does the ground keep shaking?!!

[Kolohe]

I was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area, so I'm somewhat used to earthquakes. I can remember the big one in 1989, I was outside of my house waiting for the world's series to start. Then all of a sudden, it sounded like a freight train was plowing through houses nearby. Then the ground started to rumble for what seemed like an eternity (it was probably shorter than 30 seconds though). Anyways, I never felt another one after that until a couple of months ago. Whenever there was news about a quake in the bay area I was usually surprised, because I never felt them.

Anyways, about a month and a half ago I was sitting at home (in California) watching some TV, when all of a sudden my couch starts bouncing off of the wall. At first, I thought it was a big truck driving by, but after a few seconds I realized that it was an earthquake. It's been nearly 20 years since I felt one and it was kind of creepy. I'm really not a fan of the earth shifting around beneath my feet.

So, I come to Japan last month for a business trip and about two weeks ago I felt another one while I was in an elevator. I didn't realize that it was an earthquake until somebody asked me if I felt it, but the elevator was bouncing around the shaft so I figured that was why.

Today:
I was taking a shower around noon and whole bathroom started swaying a couple of feet in either direction. I lost my footing because I was in the shower and fell on my ass. I knew right away what was going on, so I grabbed I towel and waited for it to stop. It got worse, and just kept going on, so I got a little spooked. I headed out of my room and made a b-line for the front exit of the hotel. About the time I got to the 4th floor, it stopped. Then I realize how ridiculous I looked standing there, dripping wet with a mini hotel towel wrapped around me. No harm, no foul I guess.

Then, right before I typed up this post, I heard a noise outside. The hotel started shaking again. It didn't last as long this time, but the way that this place sways back and forth is so weird and disorientating. I think I'm going to go out for awhile, the quakes aren't so bad when you aren't at the top of a tall building.

Anyways, I fucking hate earthquakes!!

[funkay-fresh]

wow, thats almost within the real of cool.
if it wernt for the danger of the situation, that is.

[Syzyde]

Maybe they like you :)

[Twessel]

I wouldn't be surprised if you feel earthquakes in Japan... there's faults everywhere. What part are you in? Tokyo?

Also, the earthquakes up here in Norther California(I live here too:]) are caused primarily by the San Andreas fault line, which runs up from Southern California. They're pretty rare, too. If you remember the one in 1989 that wiped out half of San Francisco, then these other ones should be miniature.

That was a bad one :[

[Kolohe]

At 4/15/07 06:01 AM, Twessel wrote: I wouldn't be surprised if you feel earthquakes in Japan... there's faults everywhere. What part are you in? Tokyo?

I'm about 30 miles west of Nagoya in a town called Yokkaichi. Here is a map from the USGS (it's a php page, so the link might not work forever) that shows both quakes I felt. The big square is pretty much right on top of the town I'm in right now.

Also, the earthquakes up here in Norther California(I live here too:]) are caused primarily by the San Andreas fault line, which runs up from Southern California. They're pretty rare, too. If you remember the one in 1989 that wiped out half of San Francisco, then these other ones should be miniature.

That was a bad one :[

Yeah, that one was crazy, but I remember thinking it was kind of fun, at the time. Now that I'm older and I've seen what earthquakes can do, I'm a little more concerned about them.

I think it felt so strong because of how close I was to the epicenter today. The Loma Preita one in 1989 was somewhere around Santa Cruz, and that is about 50 miles away from where I grew up. It was strong, but the one today felt stronger. Although, that was 18 years ago, so I might just have forgotten how bad it really was.

[cellardoor6]

This ground is not the rock I thought it to be. .

- Maynard James Keenan

[Kolohe]

At 4/15/07 07:29 AM, Tramps wrote: So, why do you live in the most earthquake-prone area?

Higher salaries
My family lives there
Tons of cool shit to do (festivals, concerts, etc...)
Perfect weather all year
Close to the beach
Not surrounded by rednecks

You know, shit like that.

[749-Pi]

Plate Tectonics are a bitch, ain't they.

[TheD-LucksEdition]

At 4/15/07 05:55 AM, Syzyde wrote: Maybe they like you :)

"Daddy, this earthquake followed me home. CAN WE KEEP IT PLEASE?????"

[DarkPhazon]

Well, as long as the building doesn't subside.
I've never experienced a REAL earthquake, only the aftershocks at best or whatever a small quake is called.
Good luck with that natural occurence.

[Metalix]

Ha, I experienced just one earthquake in my life, three years ago. And it was like 2 seconds :(

[SirLebowski]

If I'm not mistaken, isn't that swaying a way to prevent the buildings from sustaining damage from the earthquake?

Well anyway, I live in Iowa and I'm pretty sure we are safe from every natural disaster besides tornados and flooding.

And pig rampages?

[Ivanovitch]

I experienced my first and only earthquake so far on a holiday in mexico. I was on the balcony and thought it was going to fall off the house, until I realised it was an earthquake.

[Kolohe]

At 4/15/07 09:30 AM, SirLebowski wrote: If I'm not mistaken, isn't that swaying a way to prevent the buildings from sustaining damage from the earthquake?

That's right, the buildings flex with waves and absorb them. The alternative would be to have really strong and rigid structures, but they would crumble in a quake.

So yeah, I know the building rocking like that is supposed to keep me safe, but it sure as shit doesn't feel safer when the whole building is moving like that. It feels like this thing is about to fall over!

=(

[Latecks]

We had an earthquake in Richmond a few years back. It scared the living fuck out of me.

[Errormatix]

i've never felt one,here in new york.

I consider you lucky :l.

[SUPADUDE111]

Lucky, why would he be lucky? Earthquakes can be dangerous!

[Errormatix]

yeah,but thats coming from someone who never felt one.

...

[Splax]

Lol you should of went on your bed and see if you rock back and forth, and then call for room service, make sure you are beneath the covers:)

[speakerbox75]

At 4/15/07 05:48 AM, Kolohe wrote:

I'm really not a fan of the earth shifting around beneath my feet.

Yeah me neither

[Chris-V2]

I don't honestly see how you can live in an area prone to earthquakes when you dislike earthquakes.

After the shower incident especialy, you could have broken your neck.

[Saberwulfe]

At 4/15/07 07:37 AM, Kolohe wrote: Not surrounded by rednecks

Are there chavs?

Also, I myself have never experienced an earthquke, with me living in Texas and all.

But we still have tornados.

"Dorothy?! Dorothy, where are you?!"

[SashaNein]

Learn to swim. I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

[SuperDeagle]

At 4/15/07 07:27 AM, cellardoor6 wrote: This ground is not the rock I thought it to be. .

- Maynard James Keenan

I truly wished Arizona had a bay...

no joke

[Frost]

Learn terrakinesis.

[ScreamsfromtheCasket]

we don't have earthquakes around here so I guess I'm lucky

[MrLuckDuck]

Just like tetris.
Hopefully it dosen't get worse

[Lucy]

Godzilla!

I've never been in an earthquake, it doesnt sound too fun.

[UltraPulse]

Any subways under the hotel?

[HL2fan]

At 4/15/07 12:55 PM, OsAmARaMa wrote: I've never experienced the effects of an earthquake, but I doubt it is any worse than sitting through category 3 hurricanes.

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Same here. I live in Louisiana.