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Dave2 wrote:

raptor wrote:I used to live near train tracks. I wonder what that rumble would register on the Richter scale.

My off-the-cuff guess is high-2s to mid-3s. <JeremyClarkson>To find out, I went to wikipedia.</JeremyClarkson> (I think I've been watching too much Top Gear again...)

I lived within 2 blocks of a switch yard growing up and had several relatives that worked for MoPac railroad. It all depends on the type of train, engine, speed, etc. The biggest hit and shake (not counting when the boxcar full of military munitions blew up 25 miles away down the tracks) was when they would couple cars in the switch yard, which felt about like a 3 -3.5 two blocks away in the house.

As to the explosion, it blew windows out of the houses within a mile of the train, and we felt it shake our house like about a 4.0 from 25 miles away. Was in the middle of the night, so was quiet and nothing else moving around the area or in the switch yard.

All joking aside, there was some significant damage to historical landmarks in DC. The Washingon Monument has damage and cracks and is closed down indefinitely, and the National Cathedralhad statues and other decorative roof items damaged. Not sure about other damage, but I am sure there was some.

And, earthquakes can be devastating. I grew up on top of the countries 2nd largest fault line, and studied quite a bit of geology and building code info both for work and personal when building a house. The amount of damage can be very large and extremely widespread depending on thh geological makeup of the underlying subsurface. The biggest issue is the aftermath if you have the big one and the lack of resources and civil unrest that ensues. Would be very similar to New Orleans and Katrina over a larger area.