An earthquake (earthquake!) struck the east coast of the United States today. It registered 5.8 on the Richter scale. It was the largest earthquake to hit the east coast in 67 years.
Growing up in southern California, I’m no stranger to earthquakes. I’ve been in some really big ones. With that said, this was the most frightened I’ve ever been in an earthquake. The reason? Because I didn’t think it was an earthquake.
I thought a nuclear weapon had gone off in nearby Washington D.C.
Living only 75 miles from Washington D.C., I’ve often wondered what things would be like here in Hagerstown if and when a nuclear weapon was used in our nation’s capital. When the floor started shaking and I could see the ceiling ripple, the last thing I thought about was an earthquake. An earthquake in Maryland? That’s just silly.
A nuclear weapon going off seemed a lot more plausible, more likely, than an earthquake.
Needless to say, I was pretty relieved to learn it was just a plain old earthquake.
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