Atlanta Shaking?

ME! | Self

[kattracks]

Rare Southern quake near Georgia-Alabama state line rattles several states; 4.5 magnitude

The Associated Press
4/29/03 6:45 AM

ATLANTA (AP) -- A 4.5 magnitude earthquake centered in northern Alabama rattled windows and bookshelves around the South early Tuesday.

The rare Southern quake, which occurred at about 5 a.m., was centered near the Alabama-Georgia line, 27 miles northwest of Rome, Ga., according to the U.S. Geological Survey's Web site.

The quake was felt as far away as North Carolina and Kentucky. Emergency officials said they had not heard any reports of serious damage.

In Atlanta, about 160 miles from the epicenter, the quake moved dishes and pictures on shelves.

"My whole house shook, I could feel the whole wave go north to south," said Barry Goodno, a Georgia Tech structural engineering professor who specializes in earthquakes. "Everything was rattling through the room. It was not what I expected in Georgia.

"It's the kind of motion that could weaken structures or cause further damage," Goodno said. "It's not something to be overlooked. This could be a precursor, it could be a one-time release of energy, it could be an indication of things to come for several weeks."

Carolyn Parker of Gadsden, Ala., says the earthquake lasted about 45 seconds and woke her up.

"At first I thought it was like thunder," she told WSB-TV. "Then it was a lot heavier. It rattled the windows.

"My husband jumped out of bed. He said he thought it was like the end of the world or something. He ran outside."

Nick Jebeles of Remlap, Ala., said he and his wife also were awakened.

"I went out on my back porch because I thought it was a tornado, but the weather was fine," he said.

[oceanperch]

They are somethin'. I can remember playing out in the street as a kid and they would hit. Yee Haw. However as I got older and had family they weren't so funny.

[mhking]

No real damage 'round these parts - scared the $#it outta Rachel & the kids -- I've been through a quake like that; the rest of 'em haven't.

The news says it was a 4.5, centered on the GA/AL border west of Rome, GA. No damage or injuries, just scared the daylights out of most folks.

[mhking]

hope Atlanta falls into giant fissure in the earth.

Thanks a boat-load. I'll wave as I fall into your freakin' fissure.

[TxBec]

all the shaking and they aren't sure it was an earthquake? shock and awe? d'oh?

[Robert A Cook PE]

Funnt that most people here (including my wife!) are descibing "like a tornado" (which are very frequent out here).

Yet in CA, earthquakes are common, and tornadoes rare. Heck, even thunderstorms are rare.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Awww shucks...my first earthquake and I slept through the whole thing.

[oceanperch]

I can imagine. With what is going on now a days. Last thing you would expect is an Earthquake.

Please do not send us any tornadoes in exchange. : )

[Dick Bachert]

Robert, My experience here near the Perimeter very similar to yours. Woke us both up. Whole bed shaking and felt house sway slightly. So far, except for a few existing cracks widened, no evidence of stuctural damage.

[Vigilantcitizen]

""The Gold Dome", aka the Georgia capitol building, has gold leaf on it from Dahlonega GA. Or at least it did when it was built, no telling where renovation leaf came from. Dahlonega and Gainesville, GA, had origins during the GA gold rush."

Villa Rica, "The city of gold", which is 25 miles or so west of Atlanta and not in the mountains, had a gold rush in the 1840's. But the bullion was nowhere near what the speculators thought, and it went bust quickly.

There is a gold camp still located at the old mines, right beside Stockmar airport and right across from the new Mirror Lake golf club.

[Toskrin]

Nothing in Augusta...hope Atlanta falls into giant fissure in the earth At least it would make the dirve to "Disgusta" shorter.

[djf]

Keep yur fingers crossed you sleep thru the next one.

[Atlantian]

Downtown Atlanta--didn't feel a thing--sorry I missed it.

[Snowy]

Since it was felt in Atlanta, I'd think CNN would be all over it...but they're not.

They have to somehow tie Bush to it first.

[doodad]

First gold rush in America. There was a mint in Dahlonega, look it up. Plenty of gold still up there too.

[FreedomPoster]

He's already apologized, and I accepted.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"Keep yur fingers crossed you sleep thru the next one."

Actually, I wished I had awoken for this.

[doodad]

And don't forget my favorite Auraria.

[Jael]

"Doraville, just a country in the city!"

Hey Wardaddy, did you guys get any shaking?

[TankerKC]

hope Atlanta falls into giant fissure in the earth.

Ummm...there are FReepers in Atlanta.

Ok, just the Braves then. ;)