Timpson, Texas earthquake updated to M4.8 (from M4.3) + I Felt It reports + shaking video

Last update: May 19, 2012 at 8:08 am by By

Earthquake overview : After an initial earthquake on May 10 with a Magnitude of 3.9,  an even stronger M4.3 aftershock rattled the Timpson, Texas area.
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Important Update May 18 – 23:46 UTC :
USGS has updated the Magnitude of the earthquake from Mw4.3 to Mw4.8.
Such updates are very normal as scientists are recalculating all facets of the earthquake after setting a preliminary Magnitude. The new strength resembles more  the many I Have Felt reports that we received.  The depth of the hypocenter (breaking point) was changed from the initial value of 3.1 miles to 3 miles. This new Magnitude makes this earthquake one of the strongest of the last couple of years in the continental part of the USA.

Update 23:46 UTC : Fracking is again the talk of the town and is considered by many as the main cause of this quake. The fracking picture is unclear. In a discussion earlier in this site, a specialist told ER that Texas is not injecting the wastewater back in the underground as is done in some other states.  Wastewater injection is seen as a major activity trigger. Even USGS is talking with a double tongue about the subject. Maybe, maybe …  The area had also some historic quakes in a time fracking did not exist yet. The discussion will certainly go on.

Update 14:23 UTC :  A lot of people are very concerned that an even bigger earthquake may be striking the area. First of all we have to say that aftershocks which are stronger than the initial mainshock are only happening now and then. The vast majority of aftershocks are less powerful than the mainshock and are gradually getting weaker. Although very rare, it can not be excluded neither, as today’s aftershock is showing.  Aftershocks may also be expected in this case.

Update 14:14 UTC :  news-journal.com (PanolaWatchman.com) writes that Shelby County Sheriff’s dispatcher Jacob Allen said the only injury report received so far was an elderly woman who fell out of her bed and cut her arm. Allen said the quake caused broken windows and fallen dishes, but no major damage had been reported. In a resident house, the chimney collapsed partly, throwing the chimney bricks into the living room and thus damaging some furniture.

Update 14:13 UTC :  Following the Texas State Historical Association, earthquakes were reported in Rusk in 1891, Center in 1981, and Jacksonville in 1981. In other words, they are extremely rare in this area of the country.

Update 14:10 UTC:  The home security camera inside a Texas house (location unknown) shows the kind of shaking that was experienced. Based on this footage, we believe that it must have been not too far from the epicenter. Although the origin of the video cannot be traced, earthquake-report.com has no reason to believe that this was a setup.

Update 09:31 UTC : Earthquake-Report.com does thank the Texas people for sharing their experience with the rest of the world (especially with their fellow Texans).  I Have Felt it descriptions are still the best Earthquake value to be found. Magnitudes and Focal depths are of course important, but every earthquake (even with the same values) will be felt differently all over the world.

Videos from a TV Station with relevant footage
Phone interview with a Timpson inhabitant who had some damage in his house
Footage from a TV station with a reporter commenting showing also minor damage

Update 09:28 UTC :  On May 10, we had a surprisingly “more than normal” number of earthquakes in unusual areas. It all started in Timpson, Texas with later during the day moderate quakes in Indiana and Oklahoma! We are of course very curious to see if a similar occurrence will be the case today. Normally, we do not expect it to happen again.

Shaking map courtesy USGS - Greenish area is the Moderate shaking area

Update 09:14 UTC :  Last earthquake gave only few moderate aftershocks, which hopefully will be the same today.

Update 09:09 UTC :  Timpson and Tenaha are the towns where a Moderate shaking will have been experienced.  Center, Carthage, Logansport, Nacagdoches, San Augustine, Tatum and Henderson will have experienced a (theoretical) light shaking. The area beyond this radius a weak to very weak shaking. These theoretical scenarios are based on the earthquake parameters in combination with the Felt intensity of historic earthquakes.

Update 09:07 UTC :  Today’s earthquake happened in the middle of the night (03:12 local time), which is always a very scary experience for the people living close to the epicenter. A very shallow hypocenter adds to this experience.

Update 08:56 UTC :  EMSC (European seismological agency) reports an initial M4.6 at a depth of 2 km. As you can imagine, we prefer the USGS data as most accurate in this case as USGS has a lot of equipment all over the territory.

Update 08:53 UTC :  Based on theoretical estimates, 14,000 people will have experienced a moderate shaking and 143,000 people a light shaking. At Earthquake-Report.com, we can confirm these intensity expectations (based on the felt reports we have received).

Same epicenter area than the May 10 earthquake which was (only) M3.9.  Only 6 km from Simpson, TX
The Experience report we received minutes after this aftershock, was right in stating that it felt stronger then the initial one. Serious damages are not to be expected, at max. a few cracks in walls and objects who are falling from shelves etc.

Earthquake May 10 – M3.9
This is what we wrote on the May 10 earthquake : Moderate earthquake below Timpson, Texas
” I was sitting at the computer when the entire house shook. I thought someone had ran into the house.” said Caroline Davis from Timpson.  The earthquake was initially reported as a M3.9 earthquake and later decreased to a M3.7 at a very shallow depth of 5 km. Some local media are reporting the epicenter just South East of Garrison, although USGS  maps the epicenter clearly below Timpson. Based on the Magnitude and the kind of shaking Caroline Davis has felt, we think the present location below Timpson is right. Defining the exact epicenter of an earthquake is always very difficult. It needs complex computing and an error margin is always included in the reporting of the seismological agencies. In this case the Horizontal error margin is  10.4 miles and the vertical 1.9 miles.
The max. shaking intensity as reported by people who have felt it was MMI IV (light shaking) to V (moderate shaking), enough to be scared seriously if you feel it.
The earthquake was felt well in a radius of 15 to 20 miles around the epicenter. Felt by few people in a radius up to 75 miles.
Some people reported a shaking of ca 10 seconds.
No damage or injuries have been reported so far. Earthquake-Report.com, following earthquakes worldwide every day of the year, expects NO damage or injuries from this earthquake. Fallen objects are always a possibility though.
Update : According to a meteorologist at the NWC, no damage has been reported in the area.  He said he did not know how an earthquake could have hit the area, as there are no significant fault lines.
Update : A resident from Garrison county said the earthquake caused cracks on bricks at his house.

Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 4.3
UTC Time :   Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 08:12:01 UTC
Local time at epicenter : Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 03:12:01 AM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) :  5 km (3.1 miles)
Geo-location(s) :
Very close to Timpson, Texas
45 km (27 miles) NE of Nacogdoches, Texas

Links to important maps
USGS Did You Feel It Map
Google satellite map showing the epicenter and the surrounding area
Historic earthquakes map
Seismic hazard map
Shaking map
Scientific parameters
Human impact map

Click here for examples of our “earthquake notifications (button below)”

SRC Location UTC Date/time M D INFORMATION
USGS Eastern Texas May 17 08:12 AM 4.3 5 MAP I Felt It
  • Timpson, Tx 75975 - A few minutes ago the house started shaking, glass started falling off the shelves, it moved our outdoor storage shed off one of its blocks, and the freezer that was on the back porch. This earthqauke was larger and lasted longer than the earthquake on May 10th. Caroline Davis
  • Gladewater - Felt the chair and the desk I'm sitting at start to shake mildly.
  • Center tx - Woke to hotel shaking
  • Timpson - Was asleep and awakened by rumbling at 3 am 5/17
  • Irving, Tx - Felt this a few minutes ago on the third story of a building. Researched a noticed this occured in East Texas.
  • Alto, TX - I was sitting in my trailer house reading Facebook, and felt everything start shaking as if a man were outside rocking the trailer back and forth. Nothing moved inside except the cords to my mini-blinds, which swung back and forth.
  • Texas - After further inspection here at our home at 2336 FM 1970 N, we have broken glass in the kitchen, broken flower pots on the front porch, terrible, just terrible. Caroline Davis
  • Nacogdoches, Tx - Aproximately 3:03 am this morning I was wakened by by bed shaking along w other objects. My mother called at 3:25 am from Garrison,Tx, it also woke her. Very strange...
  • Gilmer, Tx - i was sitting on the bed and felt it shae and heard the rumbleing
  • Gilmer, Tx - Light shaking reported
  • Longview, TX - I wasn't even sure what it was at first. It was more like a swaying motion than shaking. It was similar to the dizzy feeling you can get when you stand up too fast. I didn't realize the ground was actually moving until I saw the water on my desk vibrating.
  • Irving tx - I was on the 3rd story of a building and a co-worker grabbed me and said "This is the end" and tried to embrace me. It could have been the end so why not????
  • Lake Murvaul, Tx - Woke us up. House shook for about 10 seconds. Heard slight rumble, CooCoo clock stopped ticking at 3:15 AM Hanging decor on windows swayed on windows
  • Longview, TX - At 3:03am I felt the couch I was sitting on start to shake and I could hear the door knocker clicking on the door form the shaking. I live in a 2 story apartment building on the top floor.
  • Noonday Tx - Felt like a truck hit the house. House and bed shook a few seconds. Living room swinging doors opened. Going back to bed.
  • Shreveport, La - I felt dizzy,while watching computer screen and noticed the water in my water bottle shaking, looked up and saw the light fixture swaying back and forth.
  • Texas - i was lying in bed and drinking my beer and i felt my bed rolling for about a min.
  • Timpson texas - Very scary feeling when u just wake up to the walls and windows shaking and feels like its about the end... And u see the kids running and screaming smh..... Thank u lord for keeping us safe
  • Longview, Texas - I was in my bed and it felt like it was rolling for about a min
  • San Augustine, Texas - Felt like someone was outside trailer shaking the house back and forth. Couldn't focus on computer screen. Pretty scary. Didn't know what was going on
  • Gilmer Texas - was sitting on bed watching T.V. when bed felt as if someone was shaking it, went to see if my son had been in kitchen he said he felt the same thing happening to his bed, very scary first time i have felt an earthquake.
  • Mount Enterprise - My bed shook enough to make me get up and start checking to see what had happened.
  • Mt. Enterprise, tx - 3:12 am felt very clearly. Strong enough to wake us up. Lasted few long seconds.
  • Lufkin, TX - I was at work and sitting in front of my computer and the monitor shook and a vase of flowers nearby shook also. I felt the shaking while I was in my rolling chair. Another co-worker also felt this. This was at 02:30am on 5/17/2012
  • 3miles E. Cushing - Was awake sitting in recliner... felt like light shaking on back of my chair - noticed 3 hanging pots over fireplace swaying in the same left to right motion. Hubby woke up - felt to him like I was "shaking him awake feeling" but no one there shaking him & he continued to feel quakes after realized it wasn't me.
  • Woods Community north of Tenaha TX - We woke up with a light shaking about 3:08 am. Dozed back off and was woke up with the bed shaking north to south enought to cause alarm! Things fell off the wall. Have not checked outside yet. Our animals were extremely shook up!!
  • Nacogdoches Texas - I was asleep and thought it was a dream.
  • Nacogdoches Texas - Moderate shaking reported
  • 2 mi. S. of Timpson, Tx off FM415 - Woke in darkness just past 3am to shaking,rumbling,& sounds of glass & other things tinkling,falling off shelves,& breaking(I collect oil lamps). Inspection found some lamps shattered,cabinets opened,various things broken & whole on floors. Lasted about as long as May 10th, but stronger(I didn't lose anything then). Really NOT expecting this-was unprepared. Chickens made lots of noise! :) Located off FM415 about 2 mi S of Timpson as crow flies. 6am just felt small aftershock. -CS
  • Carthage - The whole house was shaking and the house cracking.
  • Hallsville,tx - I was watching a movie and it was close to 3:30 am because the movie ended at that time and it felt like someone ran behind my couch hitting it and I heard the house creak. It scared me enough that I jumped up looking for someone.
  • 10 miles west of Timpson Tx (Concord/Cal - Was awakened a little after 3am. I initially thought the wind was blowing the house. Lots of creaking noises and swaying. Seemed to last about 10 seconds?
  • Center,Texas - Whole home shook
  • Gary, TX - I awoke abruptly at 0310, no shaking at that time. The house suddenly felt like it was being hit as if someone were attempting to ram in the door. Lasted approx five seconds.
  • Dallas, Texas - Sitting in my car on lunch break noted a quick forceful jolt shaking my car lasted less than a few seconds.
  • 2 miles west of timpson - bed shaking house shaking at 3:00 am.a glass fell off the window sill in kitchen
  • Concord, TX - Woke up to bed and house shaking & ratteling. Heard rumbling. After it stopped I could still feel trembling for 15-30 seconds. When you are woke up at 3 AM to that you can't help but think about the end of time.
  • Joaquin, Texas - I woke up this morning to the whole house shaking and I didn't know what was going on...on my way to work this morning my sister-in-law texted me (they live between Timpson and Garrison) and asked if I felt the quake. She said everything was knocked off their walls, things spilled out of cabinets, lots of stuff broken, and four cracks in their walls. When I got to school this morning (in Timpson) things were knocked off my classroom walls and were on the floor. This one was bigger than last t
  • longview, tx - Woke up between 3 and 4 this morning and sounded like furniture moving around in attic with lots of creaking thinking it was high winds outside, but attic normally doesn't sound like that with winds.
  • Garrison - Very heavy shaking. Knocked several things off the walls all through the house.
  • CR 290, Garrison, TX - Heard a booming noise and then felt it hit the side of my house at approx. 3:15. Clock and painting fell off the wall and books and things fell out of the bookshelves. The shaking was alot stronger than last time and seemed to last longer.
  • huntington, tx - I got out of bed at approximately 3:00 am to give my daughter some medicine. Shortly after I layed back down, around 3:15 am, I felt the house begin to tremble and the pictures on the walls rattled. My bed began to tremble & it sounded and felt like someone was jumping up & down in the middle of my home. I live in a mobile home and its easy to feel the washing machine spinning or my kids running through the house, but the washer wasn't on & no one was awake other than myself.
  • Henderson, Tx - Woke up after 3 am to a jolt and the dog jumped on top of me freaking out...didnt know what was going on.
  • New London, TX - The sound of my dryer vent clanking woke me up. I then felt a couple of very light "shudders" as I lay in bed.
  • Timpson, Texas - We were asleep and it woke us up! Very, very scary! All our pictures on the walls were crooked. No major damage, just a very strange sensation!
  • 2438 fm 1645 - I live 1/4 mile from what is being reported as epicenter on fm 1645. Was awakened by loud boom then whole house rattling. Only had one picture frame fall from top of Tv. I did go outside and look around and noticed the above ground poolwater was still shaking 10 minutes later. I felt at the time that it was stronger than the previous one, although, I was in Garrison during the other one.
  • Appleby - Appleby, woke me at 3.12, shaking bed, doors, etc
  • Longview, Tx - I thought the little off balance experience was because I remembered where I put my keys! ;D
  • White Oak, TX - This woke me up at approx. 3;11 am. Every window in my house rattled, and i could hear the roof rafters vibrating. We live about 50 miles north/northwest of Timpson.
  • Stockman (SE of Timpson) - My husband and I awoke to the bed moving violently and hearing things crash. We're on the 2nd story and it felt like the whole house was moving. We got up after the shaking to check things. Items had fallen in our dining room and pantry mostly- both are on outside walls. A wild experience that I never thought I'd have in east Texas! ( We were in Houston during the 3.9 last week.) What a way for my husband's birthday to begin!
  • Minden, TX - Bed was shaking, it woke me up and I looked at the clock. My clock said about 3:16am. Lasted for about 20 very long seconds.
  • Texas - I was awakened by the bed shaking, the ceiling fan over the bed swinging back and forth, and the side mirrors on my dresser were swinging back and forth. My stepson came down stairs because his walls were shaking and everhthing in the room bouncing around. It sounded like a train with ten engines pulling it was under the house. The sounds lasted a very long time with vibrations after the shaking stopped.
  • Hallsville, TX - It woke me up at 3:12. Ceiling fan was shaking.
  • Shreveport, LA-71115 - I was awakened with my bed shaking. I thought something was in my bed, searched, found nothing and then heard about the earthquake this morning.
  • Nacogdoches, Tx - The shaking of my bed woke me, still was half asleep trying to figure out what was going on, heard chiming of things that wear hanging on ceiling swaying. Lasted alot longer than May 10 earthquake.
  • Bossier City, La - I was laying in my bed after 2 or 3 a.m. (not really sure of the time). I was awaken by the sound of my daughters television and as a laid in my bed, I felt a small rocking motion kinda like when you rock a baby to sleep. All I could do was call on Jesus because it was kinda funny feeling. Besides I knew it wasn't me doing the moving. God is doing his work.
  • Kilgore, Tx - Was asleep in bed. Woke up thinking thunder shook the house then realized I was still moving. Thought someone was shaking me or I was shaking in a dream. It was between 3 and 3:30 am.
  • Big Sandy Texas - Was sitting on couch felt it sway and the cat felt it too.
  • San Augustine, TX - Very slight motion. Not as bad as those in CA. Been through some as high as 5.9. Timpson may have had the most damage - none between Chireno and San Augustine.
  • San Augustine, Texas - was lying on the floor reading around maybe 3am and felt the floor slightly swaying for about 10 - 15 seconds. Lived in Alaska and experienced earthquakes regularly and knew the feeling. Husband didn't believe me! But then he was asleep and he's never experienced earth quakes
  • Tyler, Texas - My husband was up at 3am when this happened. He leaned his chair back and everything started vibrating, moving side to side. He thought someone had hit our townhome. Nothing broke but things that were leaned against wall rattled and his recliner felt like it was vibrating side to side.
  • Nacogdoches, Texas - My dogs woke me up nervous and crying, then I felt light shaking, and thought it was a seismic crew that have been blasting daily for the last month or so. I didn't realize it was an earthquake until later in the day.
  • Liberty city texas - I was in bed and watching tv and house began to shake it felt like something was trying to pick up my house woke husband he thouht the kids may have feel out bed or something glad to know I'm not crazy...
  • White Oak East Mountain - I was awaken appx 3:15 am from my headboard shaking. I was'nt sure what it was, but i got out of bed and got down on my knees beside the bed and started to pray.
  • Tatum, Texas 75691 - What i felt here is between your descriptions of ''weak and light'' shaking. The first few seconds was very weak shaking then got stronger to the point the couch i'm sitting on was rocking enough to push against my coffee table and make it squeek from the movement and my 29 gallon fish tank water was sloshing pretty good, it totally got my attention.
  • Nacogdoches - The windows shook slightly and bed rocked some. Knew immediately what it was since I am originally from So. California. Small in comparison to what I have felt before. Definitely unmistakable though when I felt it. Always feels like a sonic boom to me but more shaking.
  • Longbranch TX - Was in bed when felt my bed and house shake and could hear pitures and windows ratteling. I knew it was another earthquake because I experienced the one last week. Felt like a pipeline explosion without the noise.
  • 3 miles east of Appleby, TX - Woke up holding on to my bed as it shook/rolled. I realized the whole room was moving in the same manner. Everything in the room was shaking while in the background I could hear a low rumble like a train pulling a large heavy load. When it stopped I looked at my cell phone. It was 3:05 am. I went to the next room to check on my 86 yr old mother. I found her in bed holding a pillow while she was looking around the room. With large eyes she looked at me and asked, "Was that a earthquak
  • Big Sandy, Tx - I was sitting in a rocking chair that started rocking ever so slightly. After last Thursday's quake I wondered if we were having an other one.....
  • Garrison,texas - It sound like a train coming riht in the house.
  • Appleby - I live in a 33ft travel trailer. i awoke to the trailer shaking, at first thought it was wind, but that was not the case. it lasted a few seconds. had never experienced an earthquake before, it was scary
  • Marshall, Tx. - I was sitting down in my office....reading about the EARTHQUAKE that Nostradamus predicted for May 20th, of all things!! THEN, I wondered why on earth was my chair shaking? I thought my sister was washing clothes; maybe it was on spin cycle? No. The floor was moving under my feet; naturally I panicked; my 12 yr old ran out, saying she was scared; things in her room were shaking. I thought the May 20 earthquake had begun, as we NEVER see this in Texas. I was in panic mode; too scared to go to bed
  • Shady Grove, Texas - Had just laid down for about 10 minutes and then the whole bed started shaking,it lasted over a minute or two, first one i have ever experienced and needless to say i have been shook up all day. very frightening
  • Garrison Texas - Heard a noise.. not sure what it was.. not even sure if it was a high pitched noise or more like thunder... then the rumbling started-then the wild slamming back and forth. the bed was being thrown back and forth..picture holding a pair of dice and "shaking them" back and forth, thats what it felt like in my bed. it lasted 15 seconds or so. (maybe more,maybe less..I really cant say for sure).. I got out of bed and had difficulty standing. I had pictures and knick-knacks knocked to the
  • Martin Lake - Awoke to what I thought was a tornado blowing the house down.The plank siding was making a slapping sound and the attic was creaking. The recliner I fell asleep in seem to be shaking side to side. Then I realized that the weather was clear. I walked to my carport where my wife was working a puzzle setting on the concrete steps on a oncrete slab & she said it seemed like the steps were moving.
  • Hemphill, Texas - I was awakened early in the morning, and bed was shaking.. I thought I was having a bad dream.. Didn't know what happened till saw it on news.
  • North Shreveport - My boxer awoke at a around 3am or so whining and persistently pawing at my bed until I let him outside. This is very unusual-he NEVER awakens me during the middle of the night. I thought my husband had forgotten to let him go to the bathroom the night before, which was not so. Then I heard about the earthquake-I think he sensed or felt the quake.
  • Clayton, Texas - We live in Clayton, Texas. In a log home,woke to the corner logs cracking and pressure on corner joints of our room. quake was felt like a tree felling on house. I have experienced quakes in Bagio, Philippines and these were pretty strong for Texas.
  • Shelbyville,TX - Shelbyville,TX I was laying down on the couch watching TV next thing I know the whole house start shaking but at first I thought it was just my washing machine but it was really a earthquake
    		•
    EMSC Eastern Texas May 17 08:12 AM 4.4 2 MAP I Felt It

    May 10, 2012 I Have Felt It reports
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    SRC Location UTC Date/time M D INFORMATION
    USGS Eastern Texas May 10 15:15 PM 3.9 13 MAP I Felt It
  • Timpson, Tx - We live on 2336 FM 1970 N in Timpson, Texas. I was sitting at the computer when the entire house shook. I thought someone had ran into the house. Caroline Davis
  • Central Heights, TX - It shook enough to be felt on the couch and make the lights sway.
  • Lake Murvaul - At my computer doing payroll. House and computer monitor shook for a few seconds. Windows rattled. Live right on Lake Murvaul. :-)
    		•
    USGS Eastern Texas May 10 15:15 PM 3.7 5 MAP I Felt It
    EMSC Eastern Texas May 10 15:15 PM 3.7 5 MAP I Felt It

    EARTHQUAKES IN THE STABLE CONTINENTAL REGION
    Most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains has infrequent earthquakes. Here and there earthquakes are more numerous, for example in the New Madrid seismic zone centered on southeastern Missouri, in the Charlevoix-Kamouraska seismic zone of eastern Quebec, in New England, in the New York – Philadelphia – Wilmington urban corridor, and elsewhere. However, most of the enormous region from the Rockies to the Atlantic can go years without an earthquake large enough to be felt, and several U.S. states have never reported a damaging earthquake. The earthquakes that do occur strike anywhere at irregular intervals.
    Earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains, although less frequent than in the West, are typically felt over a much broader region. East of the Rockies, an earthquake can be felt over an area as much as ten times larger than a similar magnitude earthquake on the west coast. A magnitude 4.0 eastern U.S. earthquake typically can be felt at many places as far as 100 km (60 mi) from where it occurred, and it infrequently causes damage near its source. A magnitude 5.5 eastern U.S. earthquake usually can be felt as far as 500 km (300 mi) from where it occurred, and sometimes causes damage as far away as 40 km (25 mi).
    FAULTS
    Earthquakes everywhere occur on faults within bedrock, usually miles deep. Most of the region’s bedrock was formed as several generations of mountains rose and were eroded down again over the last billion or so years. (text : courtesy USGS)

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    SHARE YOUR EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE WITH US

    Enter Email (not compulsory)
    City/Village where you felt the earthquake
    MMI II (Very weak shaking) ?
    People :
    Felt by persons at rest, on upper floors or favorably placed.
    MMI III (Weak shaking) ?
    People :
    Felt indoors; hanging objects may swing, vibration similar to passing of light trucks, duration may be estimated, may not be recognized as an earthquake.
    MMI IV (Light shaking) ?
    People :
    Generally noticed indoors but not outside. Light sleepers may be awakened. Vibration may be likened to the passing of heavy traffic, or to the jolt of a heavy object falling or striking the building.
    Fittings :
    Doors and windows rattle. Glassware and crockery rattle. Liquids in open vessels may be slightly disturbed. Standing motorcars may rock.
    Structures :
    Walls and frames of buildings, and partitions and suspended ceilings in commercial buildings, may be heard to creak.
    MMI V (Moderate shaking) ?
    People :
    Generally felt outside, and by almost everyone indoors. Most sleepers awakened. A few people alarmed.
    Fittings :
    Small unstable objects are displaced or upset. Some glassware and crockery may be broken. Hanging pictures knock against the wall. Open doors may swing. Cupboard doors secured by magnetic catches may open. Pendulum clocks stop, start, or change rate.
    Structures :
    Some large display windows cracked. A few earthenware toilet fixtures cracked.
    MMI VI (Strong shaking) ?
    People Felt by all. People and animals alarmed. Many run outside. Difficulty experienced in walking steadily.
    Fittings :
    Objects fall from shelves. Pictures fall from walls. Some furniture moved on smooth floors, some unsecured free-standing fireplaces moved. Glassware and crockery broken. Very unstable furniture overturned. Small church and school bells ring. Appliances move on bench or table tops. Filing cabinets or "easy glide" drawers may open (or shut).
    Structures :
    Slight damage to buildings with low standard. Some stucco or cement plaster falls. Large display windows broken. Damage to a few weak domestic chimneys, some may fall.
    Environment :
    Trees and bushes shake, or are heard to rustle. Loose material may be dislodged from sloping ground, e.g. existing slides, talus slopes, shingle slides.
    MMI VII (Very strong shaking) ?
    People
    General alarm. Difficulty experienced in standing. Noticed by motorcar drivers who may stop.
    Fittings :
    Large bells ring. Furniture moves on smooth floors, may move on carpeted floors. Substantial damage to fragile contents of buildings.
    Structures :
    Unreinforced stone and brick walls cracked. Low standard buildings cracked with some minor masonry falls. A few instances of damage to buildings of ordinary workmanship. Unbraced parapets, unbraced brick gables, and architectural ornaments fall. Roofing tiles, especially ridge tiles may be dislodged. Many unreinforced domestic chimneys damaged, often falling from roof-line. Water tanks Type I burst. A few instances of damage to brick veneers and plaster or cement-based linings. Unrestrained water cylinders (hot-water cylinders) may move and leak. Some common windows cracked. Suspended ceilings damaged.
    Environment :
    Water made turbid by stirred up mud. Small slides such as falls of sand and gravel banks, and small rock-falls from steep slopes and cuttings. Instances of settlement of unconsolidated or wet, or weak soils. Some fine cracks appear in sloping ground. A few instances of liquefaction (i.e. small water and sand ejections).
    MMI VIII (Severe shaking) ?
    People Alarm may approach panic. Steering of motorcars greatly affected. Structures : Low standard buildings heavily damaged, some collapse. ordinary workmanship buildings damaged, some with partial collapse. Reinforced masonry or concrete buildings damaged in some cases. A few instances of damage to buildings and bridges designed and built to resist earthquakes. Monuments and pre-1976 elevated tanks and factory stacks twisted or brought down. Some pre-1965 infill masonry panels damaged. A few post-1980 brick veneers damaged. Decayed timber piles of houses damaged. Houses not secured to foundations may move. Most unreinforced domestic chimneys damaged, some below roof-line, many brought down. Environment : Cracks appear on steep slopes and in wet ground. Small to moderate slides in roadside cuttings and unsupported excavations. Small water and sand ejections and localized lateral spreading adjacent to streams, canals, lakes, etc.
    MMI IX (Violent shaking) ?
    Structures Many low standard buildings destroyed. Ordinary workmanship buildings heavily damaged, some collapse. Reinforced masonry or concrete buildings damaged, some with partial collapse. Buildings and bridges designed and built to resist earthquakes damaged in some cases, some with flexible frames seriously damaged. Damage or permanent distortion to some buildings and bridges, designed and built to normal use standards. Houses not secured to foundations shifted off. Brick veneers fall and expose frames. Environment : Cracking of ground conspicuous. Landsliding general on steep slopes. Liquefaction effects intensified and more widespread, with large lateral spreading and flow sliding adjacent to streams, canals, lakes, etc.
    Write your experience and/or additional text here (max. 500 characters)

    Comments

    1. John says:
      May 18, 2012 at 4:23 am

      There is saltwater injection wells in Texas, I know, I work in the oil field. And, for the record, there has been earthquakes in 19 of the 50 states in this month, and 2 in the US territories. 2.3 in Hawaii on May 17th, 2.6 in Puerto Rico on May 11th, and a 3.2 in the Virgin Islands on May 5th. So is fracking the issue? Or deep well injection? Who knows.

      Reply
    2. Tom says:
      May 17, 2012 at 1:52 pm

      Right, aftershocks are always bigger.

      Reply

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