Quake Memes Activated

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Climate and Environment

East Coast takes page from West Coast

By Yusra Farzan

Published April 5, 2024 11:07 AM

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images shows shockwaves in pink vibrating out from a fault line in an unpopulated region

The USGS reported an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 struck in New Jersey about 50 miles west of New York City. And people had thoughts.

(

Dan Carino for LAist

)

Topline:

Whenever a minor earthquake hits Southern California, the reaction on social media is like clockwork: within minutes, people start posting their tongue in cheek, eye roll memes about how we will rebuild. When a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New Jersey Friday morning, the same formula unfolded on the East Coast — with some assists from their much more experienced West Coast counterparts.

an earthquake? in new york? pic.twitter.com/qQX2xMDMKd
— the killer (@deadbodyonline) April 5, 2024

Whenever a minor earthquake hits Southern California, the reaction on social media is like clockwork: within minutes, people start posting their tongue in cheek, eye roll memes about how we will rebuild.

When a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New Jersey Friday morning, the same formula unfolded on the East Coast — with some assists from their much more experienced West Coast counterparts.

an earthquake? in new york? pic.twitter.com/qQX2xMDMKd
— the killer (@deadbodyonline) April 5, 2024

Did……….Harlem shake?
— Kakarot🇹🇹 (@StevieKnicks21) April 5, 2024

Anyone else hoping Carrie Bradshaw was still writing:

"as New York was hit by an earthquake, i couldn't help but wonder, were the tecnotic plates as unstable as my history with Big?" pic.twitter.com/LXNUSflzEw
— popculture (@notgwendalupe) April 5, 2024

Just in case anyone was wondering:

I AM FINE
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) April 5, 2024

An earthquake is still not a reason to contact your ex:

Men all over NYC:

“Hope you’re doing okay after that little earthquake. It just reminded me of how you used to shake up and rock my world” #earthquake #nycearthquake pic.twitter.com/zncjlR7HUJ
— Hussie 🏹 Hunter (@NickGurrzOnly) April 5, 2024

about to "did you just feel that earthquake" my way back into her life
— cold 🥑 (@coldhealing) April 5, 2024

With Mercury in retrograde too ..

An earthquake 3 days b4 an eclipse? pic.twitter.com/waVx5GWMoj
— Dissertatin’ + it’s killing me softly. (@munchydaplug) April 5, 2024

Seattle wanted in on the jokes:

We see your measly 4.7 and raise you a 6.8.https://t.co/NoQnJttMHQ
— Lubdha Khandelwal (@lubdha) April 5, 2024

And of course, we had to pull up:

californians this morning after the #nyearthquake pic.twitter.com/eedLkqVCYk
— Jason Wells (@JasonBretWells) April 5, 2024

NYC got an earthquake before an erewhon
— Zach Schiffman (@schlife) April 5, 2024

So now that you’re caught up social media, here’s a handy reading list for prepping for future quakes:

EARTHQUAKE PREP RESOURCES

We don't want to scare you, but the Big One is coming. We don't know when, but we know it'll be at least 44 times stronger than Northridge and 11 times stronger than the Ridgecrest quakes in 2019. To help you get prepared, we've compiled a handy reading list

If listening is more your thing, my colleague Jacob Margolis has a podcast out called The Big One: Your Survival Guide and it's all things earthquake.

Listen • 31:11

Episode Detail

Listen • 31:11

The Earthquake

You’re at Union Station when the big one hits. The next two minutes are terrifying. By the time you make your way outside, the Los Angeles you know is gone. In Episode One, you experience what the first hours after a massive earthquake could be like.

Learn More

The Brief