I was fast asleep when it hit around 4 in the morning here, however I heard that people in Michigan could feel it.
5.4 earthquake rocks US Midwest, no early reports of damage or injuries
The Associated Press
Published: April 18, 2008
WEST SALEM, Illinois: A 5.4-magnitude earthquake that appeared to rival the strongest recorded in this area of the Midwest rocked people hundreds of miles away early Friday, surprising residents unaccustomed to such a powerful temblor.
The quake 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. There were no early reports of injuries or significant damage.
The quake just before 4:37 a.m. (0937 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, which 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.
The region is located in a region bordering the much more seismically active New Madrid seismic zone, according to the geological survey's Web site. In 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid fault produced a series of earthquakes estimated at magnitude 7.0 or greater.
Experts say another major New Madrid quake could destroy buildings, bridges, roads and other infrastructure, disrupt communications and isolate areas.
Nikki, you are too young to remember, but we had an earthquake here in the late 80's, probably '88 or '89. I was sitting in band class and the floor started shaking. The band director didn't feel it and didn't believe us, but the next day he apologized after it announced that we had an earthquake.
I've felt a couple of other earthquakes, one in Kentucky when I was a kid, and one in Tokyo that was quite a rocker. I was on the 22nd floor of a hotel and at first the whole building seemed to be jumping up and down, and then it started swaying back and forth. I was scared to death! The building was designed to withstand earthquakes. That's why it was swaying so much, but it freaked me out, especially since I was alone at the time.
Nikki, you are too young to remember, but we had an earthquake here in the late 80's, probably '88 or '89. I was sitting in band class and the floor started shaking. The band director didn't feel it and didn't believe us, but the next day he apologized after it announced that we had an earthquake.
I've felt a couple of other earthquakes, one in Kentucky when I was a kid, and one in Tokyo that was quite a rocker. I was on the 22nd floor of a hotel and at first the whole building seemed to be jumping up and down, and then it started swaying back and forth. I was scared to death! The building was designed to withstand earthquakes. That's why it was swaying so much, but it freaked me out, especially since I was alone at the time.
Yeah, I don't remember that one. I was four years old. But I do remember an earthquake in the mid-90s here in Michigan. I had some friends over and we were in my basement watching a movie when we felt the couch shake. Sure enough, we found out later on the news that there was actually a mild earthquake.
