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CNN Saturday Morning News

Interview With Gary Firda of U.S. Geological Survey

Aired April 20, 2002 - 08:38   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, more on that 5.1 magnitude earthquake that we've been telling you about that hit the region of New York. Gary Firda from the U.S. Geological Survey is on the phone with us now.

Gary, hello, we heard from some of the residents. Now we get to hear from you. It's definitely computed at 5.1, right?

GARY FIRDA, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: Yes, that's correct.

PHILLIPS: So when did you -- give us a little background here. I guess it happened about 6:50 a.m. Eastern time in New York. What was the process from there for you to, indeed, confirm it was an earthquake?

FIRDA: Well, for me, actually I was sleeping at the time and it woke me up. I was laying in my waterbed and it started shaking pretty good. And it woke me up, and I definitely knew it was an earthquake. So the first thing I did was wake up, and pretty soon the phone calls started coming in.

PHILLIPS: And they did. And what were those phone calls?

FIRDA: People just wanting to know -- confirming what they felt. I actually heard my neighbors next door kind of -- actually, screaming a little bit. They were kind of -- upset, about the whole situation. But yes, it was pretty significant for this far away.

Actually, it was centered around Plattsburgh, New York, which is, you know, 100 or so miles north of here. I'm in Albany, New York. And so, I actually expected something more like in the 3 or 4 magnitude, so it was kind of surprising to see it was a 5.1.

PHILLIPS: Yeah, let's talk about why this is so unusual, Gary. Get a little technical with us, will you?

FIRDA: OK. Why was it so unusual? Well, of course most people when they think of earthquakes they think of, you know, California or -- you know, out West, and so here in the Northeast it's more -- it's rare. And so, it's kind of more spectacular when we feel one of these things.

PHILLIPS: And, when was the last time one was felt, and has it ever been as strong as a 5.1? FIRDA: I was -- you know, that's a good question. I was looking to see when the most recent ones were around here, and you know -- I have not been able to find that information. I know there have been other ones here. I've lived in New York for close to 18 years, and I've felt two others besides this one. Both of those were on a magnitude of 3 to 4.

PHILLIPS: How concerned should people be about this? I grew up in Southern California and of course the fear is, oh boy, one day we're going to fall through the cracks, or fall off into the ocean -- and I've talked with seismologists before and they've said, OK, Kyra, that's a myth. Obviously, we don't ever -- we can't totally predict Mother Nature, but how concerned should folks be in the New York area about this?

FIRDA: I think -- you know, earthquakes are very unpredictable. I think everybody should be concerned. And I think one thing most people don't realize is their homeowners insurance doesn't cover earthquake damage. Several years ago, I took out a policy for earthquake damage to my house, just for that fact.

PHILLIPS: That's a very good point. I bet folks haven't thought about that type of insurance in that area. Gary Firda, U.S. Geological Survey, thank you so much. Once again, confirming a 5.1 moderate earthquake occurring about 15 miles southwest of Plattsburgh, New York. 5.1 magnitude we are reporting this morning.

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