earthquake
Boy was that a shaker… 6.9 on the Richter scale, centered about 120 miles away. The one that devastated Haiti recently at 7.0 was just a tad stronger, but fortunately ours struck in the sparsely populated desert in Northern Baja. [ Edit, 5:12 p.m.: The quake was upgraded to a 7.2. ]
This was just a little over half an hour ago and it brought the neighborhood outdoors. Some people were actually outdoors because they didn’t feel safe inside with the shaking. Others were out to talk to the others. “Did you feel it?” everyone was asking. We all knew the answer but it felt like we needed to be outside to decompress. We were hoping nobody got injured.
I was back in my studio, working on an image in Photoshop. As the shaking got worse I decided it’d be prudent to dive under the desk as my little desktop speakers toppled. When I got up I checked the ugly back-of-the-fireplace wall I’m still trying to decide what to do with. Part of it is unreinforced brick, so a strong local jolt would probably bring part of it down. This shaker was far enough away it didn’t happen. Darn.
Oh we just had a little aftershock, a 5.1, 90 miles away. And yes, the ugly wall is still standing.
April 04 2010 03:41 pm | Categories: rambles | Tags: earthquakes
Noelle/azplantlady on 04 Apr 2010 at 6:18 pm #
We felt the quake too in Phoenix. Maybe there will be more aftershocks and the wall will come tumbling down?
Arleen Webster on 04 Apr 2010 at 6:28 pm #
We felt the quake around 3:40pm here in Murrieta, but not as strongly as in your neck of the woods. Oddly enough, my parents (who live in Rowland Heights) said it was a pretty gnarly temblor. Doesn’t quite compute, as they are much further away in LA County. Btw, your “ugly wall” actually looks quite charming in a rustic sort of way. So maybe it was spared for a reason…
Town Mouse on 04 Apr 2010 at 6:38 pm #
Glad you’re OK (not so sure about the wall myself)…
Loree / danger garden on 04 Apr 2010 at 7:32 pm #
glad to hear all is well there…and that you will be able to make the decision on your wall, rather than having it made for you.…
Jenny on 05 Apr 2010 at 2:09 pm #
Glad to hear you’re o.k. Send John to the store and then smack the wall with a sledgehammer. He’ll never know. “Darn those aftershocks!”
lostlandscape on 05 Apr 2010 at 7:21 pm #
Noelle, Phoenix! That’s pretty far away, but I guess it was a pretty major shocker.
Arleen, I looked at the USGS site and was surprised how different and widespread the effects were. Rowland Heights is definitely a little farther away but I’m not surprised it was felt so strongly up there. As far as the wall, I agree that it does have a certain rustic/industrial look to it. It’s nothing like what’s around it, though, and I’d like to dress it up at least a little, even if I put a vine on it.
TM, thanks for your concern. I might spend some time on the wall once weeding season is over.
Loree, thanks! I like the function of the wall, the way it divides the garden into different zones. I’m sure I can do something to make it look better without removing it.
Jenny, don’t give John any ideas. Actually I’m the one who’s attached to the wall, at least to how it organizes the yard, as ugly as it is.
Pomona Belvedere on 05 Apr 2010 at 9:49 pm #
Wow, 7.2 — that’s a big shake. Always makes you a little surprised the world is still there when they end, I think. You just never know. Glad you are well.
As for the wall, great minds think alike — I was thinking a vine, too. That may be partly because I’m a vine freak. And in your climate, there are so many great vines to choose from…
Ruth on 06 Apr 2010 at 8:11 am #
Earthquakes are one thing that I don’t really miss about California! Now I just have to worry about tornadoes! I am glad that you are o.k. Maybe your wall decision will yet be taken care of for you!
Wendy on 08 Apr 2010 at 4:11 pm #
wow, how scary. I can’t even imagine needing to dive under a desk. We had a scary tornado or two, but no major natural threats (knock on wood!!!).
Glad you (and the wall) are ok!
lostlandscape on 10 Apr 2010 at 7:59 pm #
Pomona, it was a big ‘un, and we’re still feeling aftershocks, 120 miles away, but nothing to do anything about the ugly wall. Just as well, I’m a little busy with life and the last thing I need is to have to clean up fallen masonry…
Ruth and Wendy, tornadoes seem scarier to me, actually. I guess you just get used to living with what your area throws at you.
Pam on 24 Apr 2010 at 6:02 pm #
This made me laugh — I often think the same things with hurricanes.
I hope your show goes well — those images are wonderful.