Earthquakes

This past Sunday April 4, 2010 (Easter) I went through a 7.2 earthquake in Brawley, CA. Actually I think the intensity for where we were was about 6.0. It was the rolling kind of earthquake, loud like train. It was a long one too, about a minute.

I'd had lunch and was down at my cousin's place on the couch dozing off. Next thing I remember the windows rattling really loud and I realized it was an earthquake and people outside yelling "get the kids." I know you're supposed to hide under a doorway or other solid structure. I was about 6 feet from a door to the outside and was near lots of windows. There was only one kid inside and she bolted to her mom. I followed and stood with everyone on the grass, away from the house. 

For another 30-40 seconds the ground moved in waves. It felt like I was standing on a water bed and someone was jumping on it next to me making the water inside slosh around. The large windows in the inner courtyard were flexing and moving strangely. It was loud, like a train going by, the wind seemed to gust suddenly too. Eventually it stopped but we stayed outside for awhile.

Cellphones began to ring. Some people were still at the other house and were calling to see if we were alright. We walked out front and saw my cousin driving toward us. Relieved everyone was okay, we starting comparing our experiences and what it felt like.

We listened to some AM station on the car radio, trying to get any information. I was surprised to hear someone call in from Ocean Beach who had felt the 'quake while sitting on the boardwalk by the pier. I called and texted a few friends. While we sat out there was an aftershock we could feel when sitting but not standing. Definitely a strange sensation.

I've been in a couple other smaller earthquakes but there's one bigger one that stands out in my memory. 

In May 25, 1980 I went through a 6.2 earthquake at Mammoth Mountain. It was not long after the Mt St Helen's eruption which jolted the San Andreas fault, actually one week.

I was on a ski trip with my parents and aunt, uncle and cousin. We were at the back of a huge line-up of people waiting to get onto the gondola from the main lodge to the halfway house. The earthquake hit and this huge crowd began to panic and rush toward the narrow entrance. I remember my uncle and step-dad yell at this crowd to slow down and stop running because there were small children at the back, my cousin and me. We could have been trampled under 100 or more pairs of ski boots. (Scary to think about.) It was dark inside because the power was out.

Once outside I recall chairlift operator and ski patrol having to rescue people from the chairlifts by throwing ropes over the cable and having the riders climb down, sans skis and boots. I don't remember much else, I don't recall worrying about aftershocks so I think we drove home that afternoon.

(draft; to be continued)