nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:22:30 AM
Earthquake in Washington state...are you all okay??
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YPayRetail
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:38:09 AM
WOW!!! I have not felt a quake that bad since the San Francisco one in California. Never did we expect to feel one like that here.
6.2!! Centered 35 miles So of downtown Seattle. It lasted about 35 seconds and was very strong and rolling. We lived in So Cal for 16 years and I never felt one like that.
Now they are saying it may have been 6.5! - it is official - the seismo guys say 6.5 not 6.2 and place it 11 miles NE of Olympia. They say NO aftershocks because it was so deep.
Very frightening
Power is out in several areas
Seatac is shut down
Ferries are shut down
Starbucks Corporate - part of building collapsed
Several downtown buildings damaged, cracks in sidewalk
There are saying some people were injured but no hospital reports yet.
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Zazzie
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:41:17 AM
Felt it up here in British Columbia---lots of shaking but no major reported damage so far.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:46:10 AM
YPayRetail...It must be so frightening. I am watching msnbc as we speak and there is a fire also. What is amazing is that there are no reports of injuries or deaths. I live in Ohio and believe it or not we just had an earthquake not too long ago, but certainly not the magnitude like this. Yes, they say possibly no aftershocks and now they say 5 mi NE of Olympia, but when it comes to an earthquake, a few miles really doesn't matter. I pray all is well with you. Janet
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:48:19 AM
Oh Zazzie ....it is an eerie feeling.
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femme
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:48:51 AM
Is this normal for Washington?
To our Washington friends...hope you all are coping well. It must be very scary to go through an earthquake.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:52:16 AM
femme...not sure if this is "normal" for Washington, but I do know that they have had earthquakes before. Yes, you are right; it must be so frightening. I know the feeling here in Ohio when we get the sirens for tornados, but at least we are warned now about those.
Please, if you can, let us know how you all are??
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Kimbonovich
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:55:34 AM
With a 6.5, I am sure some of them have lost power, and therefore cannot respond.
Despite all that, I do send out my best wishes and am shooting whatever good vibes in that direction I can.
Here in Indiana, we had an earthquake about 15 years ago...but it was so slight I didn't know it was happening, except that the rocking chair was moving by itself.
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crankyoldhag
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:56:25 AM
Checking in from Everett, about 30 miles north of Seattle, probably 60 miles north of the estimated epicenter. Saying magintude 7.0 now.
We felt a good shake, but seem to be in good shape up here. My apartment creaked real well and I cused at the poor computer guy on the phone, but he was already leaving as he was closer and felt it harder.
We will most likely mail packages this afernoon, but if you've bought from someone in Seattle, Tacoma, or Olympia... expect delays in geting those packages out. 
No reports of serious injuries, but news still just coming in.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 11:58:06 AM
Now they are saying it was a 7.0 quake 10 mi. ne of Olympia, just south of Seattle. There are approx 30 ppl. at the top of the space needle that cannot get down until the elevators are checked. I can't imagine the fear these ppl. must feel.
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Kimbonovich
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:02:45 PM
Oooh, what an educational opportunity! I bet my old professor from that "Earthquakes and Volcanoes" course I took is glued to the TV screen, lol.
Sounds like a pretty stupid course, I know, but I had to fill some science requirements...and it was actually a pretty cool course. We got to build tiny earthquake-proof buildings.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:07:47 PM
It is nice for you that you find some humor in this, Kimbonovich. I didn't take any courses in this, but I am still glued to the tv screen  . Thank God there are no deaths reported, but I cannot imagine the fear that is felt during this.
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NearTheSea
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:08:54 PM
the SoDo center got some damage, as some damage downtown, I am sw of Seattle near water. Our water heater got moved around downstairs.... had to check furnace.
The Capitol in Olympia (I guess epicenter was just a little N of Oly) anyway the dome at the capitol has a crack in it now....
We haven't checked out for any significant damage, we live in an older home...
It was wierd...
they 'upgraded'? it to almost 7 but who knows, they did say it was 30 miles beneath..... so there should be no after shocks..... gotta check pipes and structure stuff......
[email protected]
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YPayRetail
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:09:29 PM
Hi everyone,
The Space Needle has now been re-opened but, I agree, what a scary place to be.
So far all hospitals are reporting in and there are NO injuries as of yet.
The dome on the capitol building in Olympia has cracked. Very sad as it is a beautiful building.
There are two fires downtown that appear to have been caused by the earthquake.
There is 70,000 people without power.
The seismo guys here at the UW say CNN is wrong - no 7.0 but a 6.4 or 6.5. Either way, very large.
Lots of cracks in the downtown sidewalks.
Seattle schools have evacuated.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:18:51 PM
YPayRetail....where are you please? If you are very close, and sounds like you are, please keep us updated okay. I am very concerned.
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Kimbonovich
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:23:20 PM
Sorry if it was taken that way, but I meant no humor.
I only meant that earthquakes are fascinating, educational occurences.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:28:30 PM
Kimbonovich..yes you are right; it is a fascinating and educational experience. Just not while it is going on What a great round table discussion we could have in a few days. Thanks, Kimbonovich; I was probably just a little too sensative. I understand what you meant. Janet
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NearTheSea
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:29:50 PM
YPayRetail, the local news said that an elevator was going UP when it hit, then it stopped....
I see a lot of damage at the SoDo building... they are showing the old buildings downtown with damage.
My friend called and said they closed WalMart in Renton, she worked at a kiosk selling cell phones, and her kids school was being closed.....
they say no after shocks, but I don't know.....
downstairs in our house there is stuff all over that fell off shelves....
electricity is on here, but I hear its off in places like Fed. Way and a lot of City Light customers too......
[email protected]
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cmhaas
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:33:58 PM
Just had a phone call from my sister, she lives in Silverdale and works in Bremmerton in a medical clinic. Everyone is okay but very rattled! My sister said it seemed to take forever to get out of the building. I imagine that a minute can seem like an hour when you're going through something like that.
She says they're closing a lot of the businesses, etc. to check buildings for structural damage. When they finally went back in their building, all the exam rooms were a mess!
Also spoke to my sister's husband when I called their home to see if they were okay. He said he was driving when the earthquake hit and he went off the road - he thought something had gone wrong with his tires!
Very scary for them and for those of us who have families in the area!
I hope anyone else that has family or friends out there can get through to them soon so they know they're okay!
Christina
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Kimbonovich
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:36:05 PM
nanastuff:
You're right...I was probably a little quick to jump into the "I wanna play with the seismographs!" mode.
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NearTheSea
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:37:55 PM
I'm still shaken from this, and went thru the one in '65 that was fairly large.
I don't know what else to do, cept be online, running on DSL, guess thats ok.... but they were saying to try to stay off the phone lines.... don't know if that still applies.
My dogs sensory input or output whatever must be shut off! as they did not react at all and had to drag them out when it started...
I'm online with my friends back east who say that CNN is making this a 7. when it really isn't, but local pics of Seattle, DO show damage, no injuries I guess..... dunno....
[email protected]
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Kimbonovich
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:41:02 PM
If I remember correctly, the scale for how intense an earthquake was actually based on the damage it caused...so it is exponential.
If it is a 6.5 or 7, that implies structural damage. If it were an 8, that would imply that buildings actually collapsed...again, it's been a while, I am not sure if that is right on.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:43:21 PM
Kimbonovich...truly no problem. I know the fear here in Ohio when we have tornado warnings, but we do get notice via sirens. I am truly amazed that these big bldgs. didn't just go to rubble. Lots of things to be thankful for.
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NearTheSea
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:43:49 PM
the damage I see them showing is a lot of the facades of the building came off, and all over the sidewalks, but I guess some deep cracks in sidewalks..... and I-5 freeway has a deep crack in, and someone just told me they shut part of it down......
[email protected]
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nanastuff
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:45:00 PM
yes, all the media is still reporting a 7
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cmhaas
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:45:45 PM
NearTheSea,
I understand that bridges are all closed too - which makes sense!
Do you have family with you now?
Christina
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NearTheSea
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:51:28 PM
I have friends just come in.....
I still don't trust that No aftershock thing they say...... I've said that huh?
They had to just close parts of hwy 101 for part of the hwy caved in. YIKES.....
And people are stuck on the top of the Space needle? don't know if thats still true or not?
[email protected]
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cmhaas
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:55:37 PM
NearTheSea,
I'm glad you have someone with you now! You are all pretty shaken up and it's good to have others around you. We're all here too and we'll keep you company!
Christina
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Kimbonovich
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posted on February 28, 2001 12:59:41 PM
nanastuff:
If something on this scale happened here in the midwest, I can guarantee you that the buildings would have been completely collapsed.
They aren't having many problems because they're on the west coast...they expect earthquakes.
Richter Earthquake
Magnitudes Effects
Less than 3.5 Generally not felt, but recorded.
3.5-5.4 Often felt, but rarely causes damage.
Under 6.0 At most slight damage to well-designed buildings.
Can cause major damage to poorly constructed buildings
over small regions.
6.1-6.9 Can be destructive in areas up to about 100 kilometers
across where people live.
7.0-7.9 Major earthquake. Can cause serious damage over larger areas.
8 or greater Great earthquake. Can cause serious damage in areas several
hundred kilometers across.
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Kimbonovich
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posted on February 28, 2001 01:02:28 PM
And here's the other one I was thinking of...the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale:
I. People do not feel any Earth movement.
II. A few people might notice movement if they are at rest and/or on the upper floors of tall buildings.
III. Many people indoors feel movement. Hanging objects swing back and forth. People outdoors might not realize that an earthquake is occurring.
IV. Most people indoors feel movement. Hanging objects swing. Dishes, windows, and doors rattle. The earthquake feels like a heavy truck hitting the walls. A few people outdoors may feel movement. Parked cars rock.
V. Almost everyone feels movement. Sleeping people are awakened. Doors swing open or close. Dishes are broken. Pictures on the wall move. Small objects move or are turned over. Trees might shake. Liquids might spill out of open containers.
VI. Everyone feels movement. People have trouble walking. Objects fall from shelves. Pictures fall off walls. Furniture moves. Plaster in walls might crack. Trees and bushes shake. Damage is slight in poorly built buildings. No structural damage.
VII. People have difficulty standing. Drivers feel their cars shaking. Some furniture breaks. Loose bricks fall from buildings. Damage is slight to moderate in well-built buildings; considerable in poorly built buildings.
VIII. Drivers have trouble steering. Houses that are not bolted down might shift on their foundations. Tall structures such as towers and chimneys might twist and fall. Well-built buildings suffer slight damage. Poorly built structures suffer severe damage. Tree branches break. Hillsides might crack if the ground is wet. Water levels in wells might change.
IX. Well-built buildings suffer considerable damage. Houses that are not bolted down move off their foundations. Some underground pipes are broken. The ground cracks. Reservoirs suffer serious damage.
X. Most buildings and their foundations are destroyed. Some bridges are destroyed. Dams are seriously damaged. Large landslides occur. Water is thrown on the banks of canals, rivers, lakes. The ground cracks in large areas. Railroad tracks are bent slightly.
XI. Most buildings collapse. Some bridges are destroyed. Large cracks appear in the ground. Underground pipelines are destroyed. Railroad tracks are badly bent.
XII. Almost everything is destroyed. Objects are thrown into the air. The ground moves in waves or ripples. Large amounts of rock may move.
I am still trying to find something that will compare the 2 scales...
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