Community experiences 7.0 "earthquake"

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Indiana has experienced 43 earthquakes in the past 200 years.

The Hoosier state has several fault lines, many of which can't be seen at the surface. But this doesn't mean we're exempt from experiencing them.

“I probably would’ve face-planted into the wall, more than likely,” said Michael Lacey who rode the simulator.

“I would’ve fallen over. I wouldn’t have been able to get back up,” said Riley Harding, who also rode the simulator.       

That's because the Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) earthquake simulator felt like a very scary roller coaster at a mere 7.0 magnitude setting.

IGS was at Indiana State University (ISU) teaching about the science of earthquakes and emergency preparedness for Hoosiers.

“Get a better understanding of what causes earthquakes here in Indiana, the potential risk factors,” said Walter Gray, project manager for the earthquake simulator at Indiana Geological Survey.    

7.0 magnitude is generally the highest magnitude Indiana experiences.

But don't let that fool you into a false sense of security.

At a 3.0 magnitude, people can start to feel the shaking of an earthquake.

At 5.5 magnitude is when things start falling down around your home.

The simulator at ISU Wednesday is one of the closest to an actual earthquake. The simulator moves back and forth, but in a real earthquake you could move up and down and all around.    

Gray said the biggest issue for Midwest states is the risk of something falling onto an individual.

Indiana doesn’t have very many earthquakes, but that doesn't mean they don't happen.

Indiana has experienced extremely strong earthquakes up to a magnitude 7.0 in the last 12,000 years,” said Gray.    

Gray hopes by educating Hoosiers, they'll realize injury and damage can be prevented.

“How incredibly inexpensive it is to protect your property, but also to prevent things from falling over onto you or your loved ones,” said Gray.

“I feel more prepared. I know how to get an emergency kit now, and what to do after an earthquake. I didn’t know that before,” said Harding.

Siesmologists are not able to predict when the next earthquake will happen.

You can prepare for an earthquake by strapping items to the wall or tables. You can also use earthquake putty to hold smaller items down.

For more information, head to Indiana Geological Survey website or the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website .