5.9 Magnitude huh?!

We were evacuated longer for fire alarms and that anthrax scare….

Around 1:50pm the DC area had an earthquake hit…and it was a doozy! I appreciate the 12 texts, 2 bbms, and 3 voicemails I received from people checking on me, but I just can’t seem to take this seriously. Maybe because my job forced us back in the building within 15 mins of the shake…and back to “business as usual.”

So since I am so traumatized…I decided to do a little “DC earthquake research.” Here’s some shocking facts:

* There has, in fact, been no historical earthquake that has been centered within the District of Columbia

* The earliest shock that may have affected some sections of Washington occurred on April 24, 1758

* A “violent” earthquake was reported in the DC area in March 1828

* A tremor in May 1897 caused old brick houses and chimneys to crack, bricks to be thrown from chimney tops, and slight ground fissures were noted. This was the strongest earthquake in Virginia’s history at a 5.8 magnitude.

So, I guess today’s 5.9 was pretty historic!

(http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/district/history.php)

One thing is for sure…twitter was QUITE entertaining after the quake. Check out this link for the funniest tweets: http://www.businessinsider.com/earthquake-tweets-2011-8#nobodys-working-3 (here is an example below)

The shake felt around the world

So as you may know, a terrible earthquake hit Japan yesterday afternoon. It had a magnitude of 8.9 and an expected death toll of over 1,000 people. This is just really sad and my heart goes out to all of the families affected by this.

The people of Japan are not the only ones affected. From the earthquake came a tsunami that is expected to terrorize Hawaii, California, and even parts of Washington state. This earthquake has even affected me. My boyfriend had a layover in Tokyo, and was at the airport when the earthquake hit. He is now at the shutdown airport with no power or expected departure time. He described the airport as “pure madness”. He said everyone was running and crying and hiding under their chairs. Everyone was placed on the ground floor of the airport and fed water and crackers. It has been an all round horrible experience for him.

I appreciate the up-to-date news that I can easily find on the web. I always check the Washington Post or Google News. It has helped put my mind at ease and to know that they are making progress to getting him back home. This also made me think of a topic in social media class about the relevance of your blog to your readers. My goal is to have a very relevant blog to the rising DC socialite who needs guidance throughout the city. I also want to share stories, such as the earthquake in Japan, because I know it touches everyone, not just the residence of the affected location. I want my blog to reach a wide variety of people, and entertain while informing.

Please continue to keep Japan in your prayers, and continue to check my blog for all the happenings of DC 😉