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Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2001 09:51:58 -0800
From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Puget Sound Earthquake
Sender: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
Adding to Kathryn's observations of the quake at the Univ. of Washington's Map Library in Seattle, our experiences here in Ellensburg. c.120 mi east of the epicenter, were marked, but certainly milder.
Here in the Library, the quake's onset was subtle, then more pronounced. The duration was about 30 seconds - seemingly interminable. All was quiet, unlike the other reports of a terrific noise being present. Indeed, the 'rhythm' of this heavy structure seemed to be relatively solid. There was a definite rolling sensation coming from below, which did not affect the superstructure so much as its contents. The rolling seemed to have an west-east orientation. (We initially thought the epicenter was off the coast in the Pacific, but the actual epicenter, near Olympia, is slightly northwest of here). Our book stacks swayed a good 3-5 inches, and the earthquake bracing (state code requirement) atop them worked very well. Most campus buildings were evacuated, but the Library was not. The Dean of the Library related his sensations of the quake, which were felt in the humble environs of the lavatory. Inspectors made routine rounds, examining cracks in our walls (longstanding ones, due to the building's subsidence - not earthquakes!), and declared it fit. The great pile still stands - intact.
Immediately, we consulted the excellent 'Earthquakes in Washington and Oregon, 1872-1993' map (USGS Open-File Report 94-226A) and noted the current epicenter's close proximity to the 1949 7.1 quake. It is hoped that the author, Susan K. Goter, will issue a revised edition of the map. The UW's seismic website was too swamped to access. The USGS site made a preliminary declaration of 7.0 before downgrading to 6.8. Unlike the Puget Sound area, life returned to normal here quickly.
Brian
Brian P. Bach
Maps Specialist
Documents/Maps
Central Washington University Library
400 E. 8th Ave.
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
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