The Whole House Shook

No, I did not fall out of bed! It was a magnitude-5.2 earthquake, centered at West Salem in southern Illinois, which struck at 5:36 a.m. our time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter of the earthquake was about three miles below ground, six miles northwest of Mount Carmel, Illinois, and 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Indiana, according to the USGS. I am very familiar with the fault line that meanders through this area. My Dad was a coal miner in this area and spoke often about this particular separation in the rocks. I have actually been 900 feet below the surface and have seen this fault line which goes under several rivers. Amazing!

People as far north as southern Michigan and as far west as Des Moines, Iowa, reported feeling the quake according to The Associated Press. Air traffic was halted for an hour at Indianapolis International Airport while the control tower was evacuated. At least 30 people reported feeling the quake in Clarksville, Tennessee -- 227 miles south of the epicenter -- according to the USGS Web site. Buildings swayed in Chicago's Loop and people were shaken awake in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the AP reported. People as far away as southwest Michigan and northeast Georgia e-mailed CNN to say they felt the tremor.

In response, I just have to ask, “Isn’t God’s protection great?” I feel safe that He is still and always will be sovereign and in control.