Thursday, November 30, 2017

Earthquake rattles Bethesda

An earthquake 10km ENE of Dover, Delaware was felt here in Bethesda just before 5:00 PM this afternoon. The earthquake's magnitude has been estimated to have been between 4.1 and 5.06. At the moment, it is being termed a 4.1, after several revisions. The quake lasted about 6-10 seconds here in Bethesda, causing minor rattling of structures and objects.

A 2011 earthquake felt here lasted longer, and was significantly stronger. It was a 5.8 centered near Mineral, Virginia. Now, we can expect two aftershocks, based on my experience in the 2011 Virginia earthquake. Listen out, because they were missed by many in Bethesda that year.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

i dont believe you

Anonymous said...

"Now, we can expect two aftershocks, based on my experience in the 2011 Virginia earthquake."

Whatever you say, Mr. Armchair Seismologist.

Anonymous said...

"An earthquake 10km ENE of Dover, Delaware was felt here in Bethesda just before 5:00 PM this afternoon. The earthquake's magnitude has been estimated to have been between 4.1 and 5.06. At the moment, it is being termed a 4.1, after several revisions."

Source? Or do you just happen to have a seismograph in your vacation home in Dover?

Anonymous said...

You will need to translate "10km" for the local Trumptards.

Anna said...

I didn't feel this one. The one a few years ago toppled photos off my shelves.

When I had cats, they would dig at the rug during a quake.
A tax associate in Columbia had seismic sensors put in his yard by the USGS.

Anonymous said...

This earthquake rocked me. I fell right down while walking down Bradley Avenue. Could barely stand back up my legs were so rattled. I was surprised nobody else fell nor any buildings collapsed. Its amazing how great these Bethesda homes are built. I think you are all insane for not having felt anything.

Anonymous said...

3:58 The quake must have let loose a Common Underground Snark.

5:38 AM You can't be serious. :) (Can you? I certainly hope you did not fall down.)

I noted it. There was a single, odd ~creak or crack~ of a metallic nature from my balcony at the time.

My balcony has a metal-barred rail. When I moved here a couple of years ago, the "line" where one rail ends and another begins looked just like that--a line... because the pieces interlocked snuggly, like Legos. I noticed this Spring that there was a 0.5cm space where that rail connection has loosened. Figured something structural must have occurred since 2015, and that earthquakes may happen here also, though perhaps at a minor level. (I have lived in major earthquake areas and know what it is to hear the cinderblock mortar grinding while I stand in a doorway, or be woken up because my bunk bed at university is swaying, stuff falling off the shelves, etc.).

I heard the single, odd, pronounced, metallic ~clink~ at my balcony rail late afternoon, and I wondered. But it was just a single, loud ~ping~, you see.

Anonymous said...

7:08 - Josfitz, is that you?

Anonymous said...

No. :(

They took down the KKK graffiti.