We in the bay area experienced a
5.6 magnatude earthquake this last tuesday 10/31, at 8:04 pm PDT. It was centered near the Calaveras Reservoir east of San Jose, about 30 miles southeast of SFO on the opposite side of the bay. Just to put it in perspective, I live 30 miles NORTH of SFO with more bay in between us and the quake was strong enough to send us out of the house in a hurry.
The controllers at SFO sure felt it too apparently!!!
It starts at the beginning of the clip, when the SFO local controller announces that there is a "pretty big earthquake going on," and UAL1599 (an A320) is on final (presumably for runway 28R).
Everyone in the tower then continue to control traffic while the earthquake is still going on. At 15 seconds in, the ground is still shaking, and SFO TWR tells UAL1599 to go around.
At 26 seconds into it she remarks "It's a pretty big one!"
At 48 seconds in she says it's still going...
Sometime presumably between then and 1 minute 12 sec the earthquake stops, and the remainder of the recording is a ballet of "at your discreation" landing and takeoff clearances while mobile trucks inspect all the runways for damage, which doesn't sit so well with a United captain at the end of the clip. I tried to end it on a lighter note with a longer file, but exceeded the size limit and had to cut alot out.
Having done a couple tower tours, I remember being surprised by how much you can feel the cab actually MOVING, even in light winds. I can't even imagine how terrifyingly well they must have felt every sway of that building during the near minute-long quake, and the fact that they maintained their composure and controlled traffic through the whole thing was an incredible show of professionalism.
This was my first attempt at editing a clip with Audacity and I hope you enjoyed it - It's definitely a departure from the routine!
Way to go SFO Tower!
Regards,
Inigo
