Take the 1994 Northridge earthquake, for example. There are people who absolutely swear the quake shook them around for at least one minute. Other people report a sharp jolt that woke them up, but only lasted for a few seconds. The seismometer records show local shaking for about 20 seconds.
I can vouch for the Northridge earthquake...it shook for a minute and lifted by 300lbs body up into the air!
there was a minute long aftershock immediately after it too!
Sherman Oaks, CA
And I has a cousin one mile from the epicenter who slept through it. In a top bunk.