I heard about that! Weren't there three of them in a short period of time? Seems there were a couple back during the summer too. Apparently there is a fault near missouri/kentucky area. Strange. Some of those feel like a big truck driving by!

I watched a National Geographics Channel show about the historic earthquakes in 1815 and 1816 (I think it was those years). They were a series of 7.0-8.0 earthquakes that were so strong that the Mississippi River flowed backwards. The uplift caused by the shifting plate changed the natural flow of the river, forcing it into it's current flow pattern. While it's not exactly a rift/plate like in California (San Andreas Fault), it's an active zone according to the USGS with hundreds of small 1-3 magnitude quakes occurring every year. Covers the area of Arkansas, Missouri but surrounding areas.

It's interesting from an armchair point of view. Experiencing an earthquake is another thing tho.

(I don't believe the recent "fracking" for trapped natural gas that's occurring in Arkansas is the cause, and no proof has been found by USGS to support allegations either)

If you are interested in the NatGeo episode, it's called "Mega Disaster: Heartland"

I just felt my first earthquake and I live in a place where we usually just have tornados.

I was asleep during the one at 2 am, however I did feel the one around 11 last night. I thought the house was gonna fall apart.

I've lived with tornados all my life and one good thing about them is that at least we have some warning from the weather channels here. With this earthquake there was no warning and no way to protect yourself.

As a native Californian I can vouch for how you feel. It is true as you all have described, that each earthquake can be different in feel. One 4.5 quake won't feel like another 4.5 quake. We have had earthquakes where are house was fine, but the houses across the street had downed china cabinets, and cupboard spills. Depends which direction you are in. There are the fast hard shakers, you can actually hear. Then there are the rollers, no noise or shaking, just like the floor is moving up and down. My personal fear is the "combo rock n roller". It starts out slow and rolling, then the shake builds, and builds and gets loud. The Loma Prieta Quake of 1989 knocked people off their feet, and the damage was horrific. I still have PTSD from that one. When I am upstairs, and my husband closes the garage door underneath, it startles me so much my heart thumps.

California doesn't have the structural damage as most anymore because the law is earthquake retrofitting. All brick, and fireplaces have to be retrofitted, as all new structures. There was a flaw in the Bay Bridge, and it was old as why it came down.

Personally, I think weather has a lot to do with it, and you guys have had crazy weather. I recommend museum goop, or putty stuff to hold down nick naks you don't want broken. Do not put beds by windows, we molly " **crew frames, artwork, mirrors and china hutches to the wall. Keep wrench handy, and know where to turn off gas and water to house. Check ceiling fixtures, make sure they are sturdy.

A friend here on the boards went through months of earthquakes daily in the state she lives. This was back a few years. She tied cabinets together, kept valuables in car, and took down mirrors and such. It was a horrible experience.

I have been through many quakes, including the 7+ one. People survive, and here in the US we have such high building standards we can endure much. Usually when someone gets hurt, or worse it is due to falling items or a weak building collapsing. The new sky scrapers here in CA just sway, they are built to endure quakes. That is my comfort. Aside from all that fooey, they are the scariest thing on earth to me, and I've lived with them for 63 years

life is a banquet and most poor fools are starving to death!"
Auntie Mame

I live in Oklahoma and even though I felt both earthquakes, I live about 30 min. from where the second one took place. The first one my dogs woke me up and I felt it, the second one my house shook for about 15 sec. Pretty scary when not used to it!! Oklahoma had one that I felt back in the spring, but I thought it was just high winds hitting the side of my house until I looked outside and there was no wind. Found out it was earthquake through facebook. My family was also pretty stunned. USGS says we actually get them all the time, but hardly ever feel them.