By: Cam Owens and Broc Wright

Who ever thought an earthquake would strike in Michigan?

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake shook lower Michigan on Saturday with weak shaking reported westward to the Chicago area and east of the Detroit area.

The epicenter of the earthquake was registered five miles south of Galesburg, Michigan, or nine miles southeast of Kalamazoo, Michigan, at 12:23 p.m. on May 2 according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

“Earthquakes are most often caused by plates shifting and releasing energy. They measure this by using the richter scale. Feeling one of these earthquakes happen is a once in a lifetime experience, and we have nothing to worry about in the near future,” said science teacher Scott Evans.

Plainwell softball had a tournament that day, and one of the players had said she did not feel it, but her father “felt his chair shake” as they watched. She said the umpire ended up telling her what had happened.

This has been a shocker for most people, as earthquakes are unpredictable and can happen at any moment.

“Between 1872 and 1883, a number of moderate earthquakes were centered within Michigan,” according to earthquakes.usgs.org. Since then, there hasn’t been that many.

Earthquakes can be felt from miles away or you may not even feel it when the person next to you has. People emerged from their houses in suburbs trying to figure out from their neighbors what was going on.

“I was home alone when the earthquake hit. I was laying on my bed and it started shaking, I was freaking out, so I called my mom, and she did not feel it. It was the scariest thing ever. I am just glad everyone was okay,” said Kaitlyn Hinze ‘17.

Although this doesn’t happen very often, it is good to take precautions for the future. If you are in your house the best thing to do is run to a corner and crouch down away from any falling objects. If you are by falling objects, the best thing to do is grab a pillow and put it over your head. If you are outside, the best thing to do is not move unless you are by a telephone pole, then you should run to an isolated area.

When you are inside during an earthquake, you need to stay inside. Running outside can cause you tripping on objects and ultimately cause more injuries.

If you find yourself injured or someone else injured, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Michigan weather tends to be crazy. Where else can we can have snow, 80 degree weather, and an earthquake all in a week?