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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

Just to share a quick story with you, for many years seismologist refused to believe that items were "thrown into the air" by earthquakes. The reason being, they had never recorded a reading of over 1.0 g's on an accelerometer during a quake. (1.0 would be equal to the force of gravity, holding an object "down").

Well, that changed with the recorded results of the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. I had a college friend from the San Fernando Valley, in our geology department, who swore he saw through his bedroom window patio furniture being tossed into the pool (not just knocked over). I had a co-worker in Sherman Oaks who had a heavy microwave oven propelled off the counter-top into the refrigerator door across the kitchen.

I'm a believer when it comes to the observations of those who experienced a quake. I also know that it is difficult to accurately measure time in a extraordinarily tense situation.

P.S. Glad you made it! ;^)

Yep. Northridge was a rude awakening. All the books on the book shelf on my headboard fell on my head and I ended up on the floor in a pile of books. Luckily I had no major damage to my house but lots of stucco cracks.