Elves should have mathematicians, too

The top floor of an old building with cracks down its middle (with little plastic things to keep track of how big they are) can't be the optimal earthquake hangout. I mean, it's not going to do anyone much good to be hiding under a desk if half the building's falling down the hill, is it?

None of these things happened; the whole place shook for a while, sort of like when people use the whiteboard next door only louder and longer, and my calendar fell off the wall (and a ladybug wing fell down from somewhere, possibly the overhead light). And then it stopped, and a whole bunch of mathematicians went downstairs to agree that yes, that was an earthquake. One wonders what things off campus will be like.

Glad I wasn't teaching when it happened.

For anyone who's interested, official data.

Edit: The school website says they're assessing buildings for possible damage, they're continuing to operate on a normal schedule, and (via Twitter) the local emergency lines are down.

Edit 2:47: Pretty sure that was just an aftershock. Vibration for a few seconds.

. . . Wasn't I supposed to be writing lecture notes or something, an hour ago?