5.2 Earthquake Shakes Up SF Bay Area

Joe Kaz wrote in (along with a number of other concerned folks): "There was a 5.2 Earthquake in Gilroy, CA, 70 miles south of San Francisco. The epicenter was 4.7 miles below surface. It lasted for about 10 seconds, and it did seem like a long time. Everything shook for a while, and it was a little scary. No reports of damage yet. Hope everyone is ok." I've got a report from my sisters father-in-law in gilroy (the epicenter) and he barely noticed it. Nate Oostendorp noted that "My stereo shook a little" in Walnut Creek. The SF Gate story on the quake notes that there are some phones out in some small parts of San Jose. The usgs has an event monitoring page if you are interested.

Comments

5.2 is not so scary

[ObviousGuy]

Until an earthquake's magnitude rises above 6.5, it's really not so bad.

Buildings that cannot withstand a 5.2 earthquake should be investigated.

earthquake newbie, 7th floor hotel room

[mjh]

I normally occupy the East Coast, but I'm traveling on businesss, and an earthquake is a strange experience for me. But I definately felt it. Basically, from up here on the 7th floor, in Walnut Creek, it felt like someone took the room and was rocking it back and forth. The amount of motion was very small, and very gentle. But the fact that the entire room was moving was very strange and disquieting.

I've often said, as an east coaster, that I'd like to feel an earthquake. Well now that I have, I have two reactions.

1. Not nearly as exciting as I'd anticipated it would be.
2. Not nearly as calm as I'd anticipated I would be.

IOW, I was scared more than was appropriate for the size of this thing. Thank GOD that they make the building able to survive this kind of thing. As I think about it, the fact that an 8 story building was gently rocking back and forth (probably about 1/2 inch in both directions), and didn't fall is pretty amazing.

Want to simulate it? Have someone go up to your wheeled chair and wiggle it back and forth at a rate of about 3-4Hz. Now, imagine that the desk that you're leaning on, and the floor that you have your feet on is also moving.