Geographically, Ferndale is located on a land protrusion which is the most westerly land mass of the continental United States. The quake occurred along the San Andreas Fault which terminates where 3 continental plates meet, and this is the location of 25% of all quake activity in California.
We live in a 3 story Victorian home and was on the 2 nd floor when the quake hit...fortunately my wife and I were in the bedroom doorways and literally couldn't move...
There were 3 minor quakes ranging from 2.7 to 3.5 that preceded the 6.9 shaker...
Quakes have different characteristics depending on the source...some are rollers, shakers and what call drops...like being then dropped...jolting....some have a noise-like sound...
You could hear the whole house twist and squeak...accompanied by screams...shouts, and a quick trip to the bathroom...
Grew up experiencing tornados, floods, forest fires and quakes...will take a quake any day...
Bang and it's over.
