Monday December 3, 2012 4:42pm Alaska Time
I was standing in my boss’s office answering questions regarding billing from months ago and I remember hearing the building making a slight squeaking noise before my boss stops the current conversation and says to me “5.2 earthquake ready?” and before I could clarify what he had just said the ground under my feet started moving. I have heard people describing how it shakes but this felt more like a swaying motion. This was not my first earthquake to experience but the strongest. The first was a 4.6 I believe and that did shake. This larger one however was the most adrenaline pumping experience because in the middle of it I had no idea how long it was going to last, if it was going to get stronger, or what would happen to things around me as they also shook. I felt like I was riding a mechanical bull and had to move with the motion of the earth or else I was sure to lose my footing. It did not last long, although it felt like a few minutes it only lasted a few seconds. When it was done I look at my boss with a face that must have said “how did you know?” and he jokingly said I am an earthquake whisperer. I had found out later from others who have lived in the state a while that you can hear it coming. Not sure if that is true and I am not sure if that is what I heard when the building was squeaking right before.
A fun story and an interesting experience to share.
On another note I leave for Idaho vaycay Sunday 1am. To see my dad retire from the air force. So proud!
