UPDATE: USGS Records 1.5 Magnitude Quake In Clintonville
The United States Geological Survey reported Thursday that a small earthquake had struck near the city of Clintonville.
The 1.5 magnitude quake was recorded Tuesday morning at 12:15.
The USGS said quakes with a magnitude of 2.0 or less are typically not detected except under extremely quiet circumstances.
Rafael Abreu, a geophysicist with the National Earthquake Information Center, told 12 News that the USGS probably detected the Clintonville quake because detectors were moved to the area after the noises were reported.
Residents in the city have heard noises and felt vibrations since Sunday night. Some residents said they think the recent activity has even damaged their property.
Mystery solved... if you trust the USGS.
___________________
What is happening in Clintonville, Wisconsin?
Authorities are flummoxed as to the source of mysterious underground booms that resonated again in the eastern Wisconsin city of Clintonville early Wednesday, but hope a public meeting will calm residents’ nerves.
No one has come up with a feasible explanation of the loud disturbances that shook people awake in Clintonville on Sunday and Monday nights, and rattled sleepers again as the sun rose Wednesday.
City administrator Lisa Kuss said the booms have roused people from their beds and into the streets — some in pajamas.
“It startled everyone. They thought something had hit their house or a tree fell on their roof,” Kuss said Wednesday. A police dispatcher took more than 30 calls from concerned residents between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
City officials scheduled a Wednesday evening meeting at the high school in Clintonville to give residents a chance to vent their frustrations about the disturbances.
“With everything that’s been going on, we need to give people a chance to get together,” Kuss said.
Possible explanations for the underground ruckus have been nearly exhausted, she said.
City officials have checked and rechecked methane levels at the local landfill, monitored water, sewer and gas lines, contacted the military about any exercises in the area, reviewed mining explosive permits and inspected the Pigeon River dam next to city hall.
“To me, it just seems like the most logical explanation is some earth-moving, geological thing,” Kuss said. “But then why is it not happening elsewhere? It’s hard to believe my little city is geographically different than the rest of the world.”
Harold Tobin, a University of Wisconsin-Madison seismologist, said there are similar reports of booms elsewhere in the U.S. and further afield from time to time. Sometimes they’re explained, sometimes they’re not, he said.
Video, from FOX 6:
This is creepy.
It's scary. I wouldn't take comfort in the "earth-moving, geological thing" explanation.
More video, from TMJ4:
The meeting Wednesday night at Clintonville High School auditorium reassured some residents, but left others still shaken.
From WLUK:
Hundreds of Clintonville residents gathered in the high school's auditorium Wednesday night. They were hoping city leaders would know what is the source of mysterious booming sounds that have shook the area since Sunday.
"The city team of both staff and elected officials are working to do all that we can to solve the mystery," said Clintonville City Administrator Lisa Kuss.
Kuss gave a short presentation to residents. She talked about the where the sounds have been reported, and what has been ruled out as a cause. That includes the city's water and gas lines, military activity and possible mining. However, Kuss could not say what was the cause.
When the presentation was finished, residents were able to ask questions. One person asked if the city needed to be evacuated. Kuss responded by saying, "we do not feel it is necessary at this point, but we certainly would tell you if we did."
Yes, tell the community if the city needs to be evacuated.
That would be a good idea.
No comments:
Post a Comment