Though Taiwan has many earthquakes, this is the first one I have felt since I got here. I didn't mention it before, but I am terrified of earthquakes--地震 di4 zhen4--mostly because there wasn't much chance to experience them growing up in the American midwest. This one hit just a few minutes ago at about 12:45 p.m. and and lasted for about 15 seconds. I was taking a noon nap at the time. A pretty gentle shake, really, as opposed to the other one I have been in in Seattle in 2001. That one in Seattle sounded like an empty file cabinet falling down a flight of stairs. This one was just a quiet rumbling--no noise, just movement. But still, unnerving. I found myself shaking afterward.
I dont know yet how big it was or if there was any damage anywhere. Updates to follow after I collect myself.
It was something like a 6.6 in Hualien I think. I felt it - in Taipei - but my wife and daughter didn't even know there was one until I told them. They wouldn't believe that there was one until I showed them our various "earthquake detector" medallions and whatnot hanging from various lamps (they swing like pendulums when there's an earthquake). Do a google search for the 921 Earthquake and color yourself lucky . . . that one tossed entire villages fifty feet into the air, killing thousands, our building shook violently for what seemed like ages . . . although out daughter slept through it . . . with no power or air conditioning or water, we didn't sleep the entire night. Aftershocks on that one lasted for months. Of course, that's one of those deals that comes once in a lifetime so you missed it . . . too bad for you . . . not.
Posted by: Brian David Phillips | 2003/12/13 at 上午 2:18