The Biggest Earthquake of the Decade Hits Maine

They could feel the earth move as far away as Connecticut, in downtown Boston, and yes, in Kennebunk. A magnitude 4.0 earthquake rocked Southern Maine and beyond shortly after 7 o’clock last evening.  “Rocked” in much the same way you might say Jason Mraz or Michael Bolton rocked.  Houses shook, china cabinets rattled, dogs howled, and parents pulled their kids off the streets, because well, it was getting pretty dark after all. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the quake was about 20 miles west of Portland, in Hollis Center (now known as “earthquake-ravaged” Hollis Center).

While the reaction from Californians was, “Isn’t that cute,” for Mainers it was front-page news.  According to the Weston Observatory in Boston, this was the most powerful earthquake in New England in 6 years.  It was Oct. 2, 2006 that a 4.2 magnitude quake struck Mount Desert Island, sending boulders tumbling onto the Park Loop Road at Acadia National Park.  Furthermore, experts say the geology of the region can make the effects felt across an area up to 10 times larger than quakes of similar size on the West Coast. So there—take that, California!  You who carry on with business as usual when your stadiums crack, your bridges twist and your swimming pools overflow into your jacuzzis.

Here in Maine we’re taking note of the day the Earth shook and it won’t soon be forgotten. In this day of instant commemoration, a Facebook page called “I survived the 10/16/12 Earthquake” popped up and had over a 80,000 “likes” within hours  of the earth-shaking event.  Sure, there may not be any Federal emergency declaration or any flyover by concerned elected officials.  But it’s sure to rank up there with “I survived the Aroostook County Heat Wave of 2012” or “I survived the Vice-Presidential debate of 2012.”  We’re from Maine.  We’re survivors.