08th Jan 2009
Quake Rocks Northwest, Businesses Shut Down
The latest reports out of the University of Washington Seismology Lab show a 6.8 magnitude quake, after preliminary reports indicated a 6.2 magnitude. The quake was centered south of Seattle, just north of the State capital at Olympia. The quake was associated with the Juan de Fuca fault.
The quake was a deep quake, making aftershocks unlikely.
Sounds of grinding and visible signs of the earthquake were readily evident as shakes could be felt for approximately 30 seconds, with KOMO 4 television reporting calls from viewers who felt the shake from beyond the Candian border all the way to Utah.
There have been reports of some material damage with windows shattering and some exterior building damage, including the headquarters of Starbucks. The pioneer square district, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Seattle, and home to a number of prominent Internet companies, appears to have suffered the greatest damage.
There are also reports that during the quake, Microsoft's Bill Gates was in the middle of a speech at an educational conference being held at the Westin Hotel.
Elevator functions have shut down in many of the buildings downtown, and most have been evacuated, halting business functions throughout the city and beyond. The Direct Marketing Association's conference at the Washington State Trade & Convention Center, where many Internet industry professionals have been gathering for the past two days, was immediately cancelled.
The FAA reports that the Sea-Tac Airport has been shutdown, as well as the entire ferry system. Power is also out in some areas of the Northwest.
For streaming media company Activate the earthquake came just one day after the launch of its $20 million digital media center. Seattle.internet.com has just learned that the 20,000 square foot facility sustained no visible damage and continued streaming events throughout the earthquake.
According to the company's spokesperson, Webcasting events taking place around 11 a.m. PST experienced no service interruption as Activate maintained power and downlink capabilities through the 30-second earthquake. However, as a precautionary move, the 1914 building was evacuated to check for structural damage.
The Seattle.internet.com team will update as further information becomes available.
#If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.# |
Posted by cfz under toyotataa.com |
