In the Pacific Northwest many of the Native American tribes have myths, legends and beliefs about earthquakes and the gods. Some of these include angry gods, warnings from the gods, and messages that something is coming. If you have ever experienced a good sized earthquake then you know what an overwhelming experience it can be. Yesterday, the Great Mother gave us a good shake just outside of Waldport Ore. Jan. 24, 2013 just before 8 p.m. there was a small cluster of modest sized quakes, the largest was a 3.4.
Randy Baldwin, a geophysicist of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Earthquake Information Center in Golden Colo. stated that small quakes in the area are not expected to cause any damage on land. The majority of the earthquakes were about 30 miles west of Waldport. Although none of the quakes were large in size, several people near Waldport did report feeling the largest of them just before 8 p.m. last night. Geologists say that earthquake clusters are not uncommon in our area.
Some Native American traditions would see such an event as a possible warning from the gods. As we in the Puget Sound sit near the volcano known as Mount Rainer and also in the distance is Mount St. Helens, it does leave you to wonder if the Great Mother is trying to tell us something. Most people do not believe that either volcano is preparing to blow its top any time soon but we do know that it will happen eventually.
As for now, we can watch these small earthquake clusters with awe and wonder while looking into our past and researching the oral histories of the tribes of the Pacific Northwest. The Great Mother could be angry with us and is showing it in her trembles, she could be warning us of things to come, or maybe it was just a little stress release as the plates press against each other. Only time will tell.
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