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Washington State Survives a Big Quake

Last Wednesday, Steve Cooper watched in horror as a three-foot wave rippled under the earth, lifting buildings, sidewalks and roads. The wave hit a bank in Olympia, Washington, unleashing a rain of stones onto cars below. "It was like a waterfall," he said.

A powerful earthquake caused that cascade. Although more than 300 people were injured, the toll could have been much worse. "We're just really, really lucky," said Governor Gary Locke.

It didn't look like a lucky day. The state capitol was cracked. Dust, bricks and glass fell on busy streets in Seattle. Fixing the damage may cost more than $2 billion. But no one died as a direct result of the quake.

The earthquake started more than 30 miles underground, just outside Olympia. The distance weakened its impact. "The earthquake's energy had to travel 30 miles in every direction before it hit the surface," said Tony Crone of the U.S. Geological Survey. Most of the structures built in Washington since 1970 were designed to survive earthquakes.

Folks trapped atop Seattle's famous 600-foot-tall Space Needle were shaken but unharmed. "We could barely stand," said facilities director Rick Harris. "It was probably only 30 seconds, but it seemed like an hour."

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