Residents of Illinois, Indiana and surrounding states weren't dancing to the tune of Queen's We Will Rock You, this morning. Instead, they were holding on to anything within arm's reach as the ground literally shook beneath their feet.
According to the Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hit Southeastern Illinois at 5:36 A.M. EDT today.
"The earthquake was felt throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, and as far away as Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin," stated a spokesperson for the IGS.
There have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries, although minor damage could be observed in the surrounding area.
At the epicenter in Southeastern Illinois, the quake was "strong." In Evansville, Indiana, 160 miles from
the epicenter, surface structures were moving "inches."
The quake, which lasted approximately one minute, was the strongest in the region in some 40 years and shocked residents of Indiana's first state capital, Corydon, Indiana. Most reported feeling the quake while preparing to leave for work. Others said they were awakened when they both felt and heard the seismic vibrations.
The earthquake occurred along the Wabash Valley fault system, alongside the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
More information can be found at the USGS website.
I felt it this morning. I was sound asleep and it woke me. People in my office reported feeling the 4.5 aftershock at about 11:15 this morning although I did not personally feel that one.
The loud bang and vibrations woke the wife and I here in Louisville. I turned to her and said, “I think that was an earthquake!”, and she replied, “I thought you were having a seizure!”
In Santa Claus, Indiana, an antique wooden Santa few off a shelf at the Santa Claus Museum and an arm broke off. It will be repaired with wood glue and be unnoticable.
My sister in Evansville, Indiana suffered a big loss when a set heavy set of knifes was shaken off the top of her refrigerator onto her glasstop stove, shattering it into a million pieces. The cost to replace the glasstop is almost as much as a new appliance, but less than their deductible.
Yeah, it woke me up too guys. I was like what is that? Basketball sized hail? I even went outside to see if something like hail or high wind was “accosting” my house. By the time I did all that, it had dissipated quite a bit. Still, it was pretty freaky not knowing what in blazes was going on for several seconds. Glad no one was hurt. Good to hear from you two.
It only half woke me up. I was disoriented, and at first assumed it was some stupid “Exorcist” dream. Still in a stupor, I thought maybe the washer was on its spin cycle.