Earthquake. Really, we had one.

This morning around 4:30am we had an earthquake that measured at 5.2 on the ole Richter scale. Later, around 10:15am an afterhshock measured around 4.5. Both were centered about 130 miles from St. Louis in Illinois. Now, I know those of you who live in the West are thinking, "Big deal they happen in California and these parts all the time." Well, according to the U.S. Geological Survey the ones here can be less powerful, but can be felt more and cause more damage. Because of our soil differences, we have more shaking and vibrating and less of a feeling that the ground is rolling. Also ours tend to be more shallow in depth. I know my brother-in-law is rolling his eyes and thinking, "And you want us to move there? You have droughts, floods, tornadoes, humidity and now earthquakes! Sheesh" Yes, we do,but you still live in a desert. (Sorry for the digression)

Anyway, around 4:30am, Andrew and I both woke up to the house shaking. As we were wondering aloud if it was an earthquake, here came Adria and Colin asking what was going on. Colin had slept in the basement (he'll do anything for cable) and felt the foundation bounce him around. Eva and Liam slept right through it. Later that morning Liam and I felt the house briefly shake again.

Not really any damage. Our house is fine, but some of the older homes have some cracked windows. St. Louis is always preparing (at least mentally) for the Big One. We sit on the New Madrid fault line which produced the biggest earthquakes in the U.S. back in the 1800s. If something like that happens again, St. Louis won't be so lucky. What a cheerful thought.