6.0 Earthquake, Category 2 Hurricane, Eastern Seaboard Braces for Round Three

            On the afternoon of August 24^th Mineral, Virginia experienced what it was like to be the center of attention—literally. As the epicenter of a ground shaking 6.0 earthquake, Virginia relentlessly shared “the love” until effects were felt all the way in New York City. Not three days later, the citizens in North Carolina stole the lime light as hurricane Irene, a category two hurricane, made landfall on the pristine outer banks.
            “What’s Next? Zombies?” was the sign I passed yesterday while driving through Annapolis, MD. Though Annapolis wasn’t the center of an earthquake or Irene’s wrath, Maryland has felt the effects from these natural destructive forces—and a little goes a long way.
            Teams surveying the damage on the Washington Monument from the quake wonder if the little cracks at the top are detrimental to the structure. When it comes to destructive winds, little changes in speed make a big difference and a bigger mess. Businesses on the Western shore in Maryland are just now getting their power back after a little storm filled weekend. Needless to say, Maryland’s cup of patience is little, and growing smaller as events continue to overflow.
            With clean-up efforts continuing, easterners wonder “what’s next?” But she’s already on her way--Hurricane Katia. Her predicted path according the National Hurricane Center, is much like Irene’s—meeting the East Coast with a warm, forceful embrace. Of course there will be hopes that Katia will steer to the right and out to sea, but the likelihood of this is slim. There is not much for Marylanders to do, except baton down the hatches. It’s hurricane season, so a bumpy ride is to be expected.
            Predictions from National Weather Centers have helped to ease worries and help citizens prepare for the worst. But with all the rain, everyone seems to have forgotten about the shakes. The unpredicted 6.0 quake was definitely NOT expected and not welcome. The surreal experience of watching my walls move and plates dance in my kitchen cabinets was not what I would call “comforting”.  We all thought earthquakes couldn’t happen on the east coast—but it did! So it is reasonable to wonder if and when it will happen again—because it can!
            What took Marylanders and the whole East Coast by surprise was the duration between these two climactic events. They were witnessed within the same week which made it seem, to some, like the end of the world—hence the “Zombie” street signs. But with the Nation’s Capital still intact and New York City still wide awake, the world is far from over. So this leads me to conclude with a poll. What do YOU think is next? Miss Katia? Or Mr.Quake?



Resources

NOAA. (n.d.). National hurricane center [weather service]. Retrieved September
     2, 2011, from NOAA website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/