As it turns out, the shaking was a result of a sonic boom from an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet breaking the sound barrier, as reported by U.S. Navy Commander Kevin Stephens.
This jet was flying north-bound over the Pacific 35 miles southwest of San Diego when it broke the sound barrier. Since sonic booms travel in the direction of the jet's flight, the boom impacted the Orange and LA counties.
The rumbling felt was easily mistaken for an earthquake, as sonic booms have been known to have strength enough to shake buildings.
The jet was flying as part of a demonstration of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, whose home base is located in Coronado.
I think its interesting to find out that this was actually a sonic boom instead of an earthquake and I can imagine it must have been quite frightening for the poor people who are always having to deal with earthquakes!
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/04/11/los-angeles-quake-really-navy-jet-breaking-sound-barrier/?intcmp=obinsite
This is actually kind of amusing. Partially because it wasn't real, and because I was in L.A. during this time but I guess I didn't feel it. Perhaps it happened while I was flying.
ReplyDeleteSo cool! And we are learning about this in physics so its kinda relevant. But to have caused a physical shaking sensation without anything actually happening in the Earth is remarkable
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