5.4 earthquake rocks US Midwest, minor damage reported


WEST SALEM, Illinois (AP): A 5.4 magnitude earthquake in the Midwest rocked people up to 450 miles away early Friday, surprising residents unaccustomed to such a powerful temblor.

It shook skyscrapers in Chicago's Loop, 240 miles (385 kilometers) north of the epicenter, and in downtown Indianapolis, about 160 miles (260 kilometers) northeast of it.

The quake just before 4:37 a.m. (0837 GMT) was centered 6 miles (11 kilometers) from West Salem, Illinois, and 66 miles (106 kilometers) from Evansville, Indiana. It was felt in such distant cities as Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Des Moines, Iowa, 450 miles (725 kilometers) northwest of the epicenter, but there were no early reports of injuries or significant damage.

"It shook our house where it woke me up,'' said David Behm of Philo, 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Champaign. "Windows were rattling, and you could hear it. The house was shaking inches. For people in central Illinois, this is a big deal. It's not like California.''

Bonnie Lucas, a morning co-host at WHO-AM in Des Moines, said she was sitting in her office when she felt her chair move. She grabbed her desk, and then heard the ceiling panels start to creak. The shaking lasted about 5 seconds, she said.

Lucas Griswold, a dispatcher in West Salem, said the Edwards County sheriff's department received reports of minor damage and no injuries. Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Todd Ringle in Evansville said there were no immediate reports of damage.

The quake occurred in the Illinois basin-Ozark dome region that covers parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas and stretches from Indianapolis and St. Louis to Memphis, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The organization's Web site said earthquakes occur irregularly in the area, and that the largest historical earthquake in the region - also a magnitude 5.4 - caused damage in southern Illinois in 1968.

Nothing felt here in Milwaukee, just 90 miles north of Chicago. It sure is nice living atop the Laurentian shield!

I live in a loft and when we walk the kitchen pots sometimes make noise- this morning at 430 am everything was shaking and I rolled over and asked my boyfriend "wtf are we having an earthquke" he never heard me say it and wrote me an email from work telling me the big news- um yeah did ya not hear me say that, nope he slept-

big aftershock at 1030am too

CORRECTION! I'm too sound a sleeper! My 27 year old son here just told me he awakened about 4:30am with things on his dresser shaking for about a minute. He knew right away it was an earthquake as he lived in California for 5 years. So, yep, it was felt here!

I was awakened at 5:37 am this morning in Lawrenceburg Ky by some rather heavy shaking of my house, bed and furniture. First time experiencing this and I must say it scared the **** out of me because I did not know what the hell was going on. I thought to myself "self, this is Ky, we might get some low tremors that you couldn't feel, but not this"..Hell of a wake up call

I guess we are going to have after shocks for 48 hours - and I just found out it was felt as far as Milwaukee- this is insane.....

according to my friend who is somewhat religious this was in the Bible....Matt 24:7.8 it says that there will be great earth quakes in one place after another..
Not sure if I believe it just yet....however, I am pretty nervous

Weird earthquakes in the midwest, Earthquakes that resemble the precursors to a volcanic eruption, anybody check out the potential Volcano in Yellowstone recently? It might be worth a peek.

you know, thats an interesting little point, about the Biblical references, maybe I need to go pick up the Good Book and see what it says!

the after shock was 4.5 .....

When I called my Father in minnesota he brought up yellowstone so maybe I better peek and see whats going on....

One of the largest earthquakes in history occurred in the early 1800's in W Tenn. About the only ones living there at the time were Native Americans. They called the place The Shakes, and Davey Crockett recorded seeing large areas of forest there with the trees completely laying on the ground. Although rare their is another one expected by experts due to occur in this same area that will be equally impressive. Only much deadlier considering the population now!
Look it up!

do you have a link or anything?

Not right off. I just know from reading it.


If you want I'll find it. I first read about it in a book about Crockett's life. A couple years ago I saw a Documentary on it!

that would be really cool... I am trying to find out all the information I can...

I just relocated to MO from MN and I thought the weather was the only thing I had to get used to- I know this is not normal but I like to know what could come....

Thank you

St. Louis felt it.

My child told me that the house shook, the windows rattled and the toys were knocking together. I didn't feel it (sleeping) but I heard the noise. My child described it as a "whoosh" that lasted a long time. The dog was crying.

My parents' dog barked. My brother is Louisville, KY, felt it.

I felt the aftershock about 10:15 this morning.

Since you just moved here, you may find yourself hearing people talk about the New Madrid faultline.

This faultline makes it difficult to obtain earthquake insurance for brick homes.

The three great earthquakes that occurred in the Upper Mississippi region near New Madrid in 1811 - 1812 rank among the most significant events in U.S. history. maximum intensity for each of the large shocks is estimated at XII. Topographic changes were noted over an area of 75,00 to 130,00 square kilometers; the total area shaken was at least 5 million square kilometers. Damage was very small for such great earthquakes because of sparse population. Chimneys were knocked down in many places in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. The most seriously affected area was characterized by raised and sunken lands, fissures, sinks, sand blows, and large landslides. The most typical sunken land is Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. This lake is from 12 to 16 kilometers in length and from 3 to 5 kilometers in width. The submergence ranged from 1.5 to perhaps 6 meters, although greater depths were reported.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/tennessee/history.php

I just hope movement is westward. That way when Bush leaves office he will be that much further from me!!
Even if its only a fraction of an inch, Ill feel better.





























Come-on,
You didnt think this thread could escape the effects of Bushes Presidency...

That earthquake caused alot of damage in St. Louis. It caused the Mississippi River to slightly change course. The river flowed backwards temporarily too.

We are sometimes reminded that we are due for the 100 year big one. It's just a matter of time.

Do you want to visit?

What?! Didn't you know that Bush caused the earthquake today? It's all his fault.

I am wondering if I should move back to Minnesota myself.... naw, I love St. Louis....