Earthquakes Rattle Central Arizona; Reaction Mocked on Social Media

Three small earthquakes centered near Black Canyon City rattled central Arizona late Sunday night, shaking dishes, creating a cacophony of wind chimes and barking dogs, and giving many people pause as they suddenly felt their homes vibrating for a few seconds. So far, no major damage or injuries have been reported,...

By Miriam Wasser

November 2, 2015

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Three small earthquakes centered near Black Canyon City rattled central Arizona late Sunday night, shaking dishes, creating a cacophony of wind chimes and barking dogs, and giving many people pause as they suddenly felt their homes vibrating for a few seconds.

So far, no major damage or injuries have been reported, and authorities are saying it's possible more aftershocks will occur throughout today.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the first quake had a magnitude of 3.1 and occurred at 8:59 p.m.; the second, a magnitude 4.1, hit at 11:29 p.m.; and the third, a magnitude 4.0, happened at 11:49 p.m.

Earthquakes aren't exactly rare in Arizona — a research team at Arizona State University recorded about 1,000 quakes in a three-year period between 2006-2009 — but 91 percent of them registered at a magnitude of 2.0 or smaller, meaning most people didn't feel them.

According to the USGS, the largest earthquake in Arizona's history was a 5.6 magnitude event on July 21, 1959: "Minor damage to chimneys and walls was reported . . . windows broke in houses and stores, and dishes fell from shelves."

So though neither the 1959 quake nor Sunday night's events are the type of seismic activity our neighbors to the west experience regularly, that didn't stop people from making fun of the reaction on social media.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Praying for #Arizona!! #earthquake pic.twitter.com/GM4EcFoPAQ
— RJ Gallardo (@gallardo_rj17) November 2, 2015

Damage from the Phoenix #earthquake. We are all ok. Will begin recovery at 2 AM when I'm thirsty. pic.twitter.com/04xdVbCrW3
— Nick Issac (@nickissac) November 2, 2015

A California dog would have totally barked at that. #Phoenix pets don't know what an #Earthquake is
— Peter J. Hart (@peterjhart) November 2, 2015

This one came in @mjrust #arizona #earthquake pic.twitter.com/XgGlsMxB5I
— Cameron Davison (@DaddyBookins) November 2, 2015

Major damage in my hotel room fro the Arizona Earthquake. #az #earthquake pic.twitter.com/XcpHS8jTEI
— John Mudd (@muddj) November 2, 2015

Go home Arizona. You’re drunk. #earthquake
— Gueric Nkunzimana (@TadbitWacko) November 2, 2015

So that wasn't just us, right? Did aliens land? #earthquake
— Phoenix Comicon (@PhoenixComicon) November 2, 2015

Arizonians be like: "We will rebuild" #earthquake pic.twitter.com/fzr1QnNiBN
— Jordan T (@jtizzle56) November 2, 2015

It's alright! Everyone's ok!! #az #Earthquake pic.twitter.com/FkGgk8NwCx
— Adrienne (@longballgirl) November 2, 2015

I demand classes to be canceled tomorrow because of the #earthquake #PrayforTempe
— Jacqueline Bradford (@jmbradford) November 2, 2015

Hate to say it, but honestly I thought it was a meth lab exploding #Earthquake #Phoenix
— Peter J. Hart (@peterjhart) November 2, 2015

who tf just shook my house
— Kiki Longo (@longo_kiki_) November 2, 2015

#earthquake is trending because Arizona doesn't know how to handle these situations so we just go on our phones instead.
— Astha Pasta (@asthachourasia) November 2, 2015

Just one of the marks this tragedy has left on Phoenix. #prayforphoenix pic.twitter.com/I1zjHZ9h8V
— Kiki Longo (@longo_kiki_) November 2, 2015

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Phoenix New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.