NEWBURYPORT — Calls flooded area police departments late yesterday afternoon telling police of a “loud bang” that one caller likened to the noise of a structure collapsing.
But police and firefighters deployed in Rowley, West Newbury, Newbury and Byfield found themselves roaming the neighborhood streets with no indications of the source of the noise.
That’s because the rumble came from below the earth’s surface.
“It looks like Amesbury Middle School’s seismograph had a spike,” local weather observer and Triton Regional teacher Ray Whitley said as he logged onto the school’s Web site to take a look. “There was definitely some activity.”
And the U.S. Geological Survey Web site confirmed it: A 1.8 magnitude earthquake rumbled through the area at 4:35 p.m.
“We are sitting on the Clinton-Newbury fault line; it runs right through here,” Whitley said. “We do have activity here. There are no plate edges, but we do get frequent tremors in the ones or twos but no fives.”
The Clinton-Newbury fault line trends east to west to northeasterly at its northeast end near Newbury. In Massachusetts, the fault zone is approximately 97 miles long.
The fault zone curves southwestward to Clinton and Worcester, and then southward into the state of Connecticut.
Gail Regis, a teacher at Amesbury Middle School who got the seismograph for the school through a grant, said before confirmation from the web site she wasn’t sure if the spike was due to an earthquake or just a loud plow that went by. Amesbury police, however, did not receive any calls about a loud noise.
Regis has the seismograph in her classroom as part of Amesbury Educational Foundation’s Innovative Grant for 2006-07. Regis received $10,000 to put toward starting The Boston College Educational Seismology Project at the school.
Newbury and West Newbury police said they also got a large influx of calls but could not find the source.
Whitley said the last large earthquake to have rocked this area was in 1755 when, according to history, the quake caused all the church bells in Boston to ring.
“The fault lines runs right through Byfield,” Whitley said. “Even if Weston doesn’t have anything yet, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”
Local News
Earthquake shakes region
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OUI loophole fix in works
NEWBURYPORT — A local lawmaker is calling for the state to rewrite its drunken-driving laws to make it easier for judges, attorneys and the general public to understand.
Continued ...
Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, yesterday said the complex nature of the state's drunken-driving law may have played a part in a Supreme Judicial Court ruling last week that prompted the state Senate to close a "loophole" in the law meant to enhance penalties for repeat drunken drivers. -
Nock principal to retire
NEWBURYPORT — After a 37-year career as an educator, Rupert A. Nock Middle School Principal Barry Hopping will retire at the end of June.
Continued ...
Hopping, who has been at the helm of Nock since 2006, broke the news at a staff meeting last Friday, and word began spreading through the middle school community this week. -
A fresh start
There will be fresh and local produce, food and other craft items going on sale starting tomorrow at a new farmers market at one of the most scenic places in Amesbury.
Continued ...
Union Congregational Church at 350 Main St. is hosting Point Shore Farmers Market to run every Saturday until the fall and, according to market organizer Rosemary Mijal, it's the talk of the town.
"We know there's going to be a huge turnout because everybody's talking about it," Mijal said. -
Summer weather, lower gas prices mark Memorial Day weekend
NEWBURYPORT — Memorial Day weekend is expected to start off with a burst of summer-like weather, but rain will move in before the sun peeks out again and the weather turns more seasonable.
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The summer's unofficial kick-off weekend will see temperatures reach the upper 70s in the Newburyport area tomorrow, with showers expected Sunday and highs in the 60s, followed by sun and perhaps a passing shower on Memorial Day, with highs around 70. -
Removing barriers to the sea
SEABROOK — A federal grant combined with the generosity of taxpayers will fund a new park along Seabrook harbor that will allow disabled individuals and wheelchair users to fish and have access to local waters.
Continued ... - This day in history
- police logs
- DISTRICT COURT
- Daughter called Groveland police on mother after drug argument
- Town celebrates Memorial Day Sunday with parade and services
- Janes to lead West Newbury Memorial Day parade
- Hotel plans focus of special Amesbury Planning Board meeting
- Discussion sought on assisted living plan
- Retired teachers get schooled
- Festival of Trees funds local projects
- Scout to set up orienteering courses near Page School
- Petition opposing Supreme Court ruling passes easily
- May 24, 2012
- Rebuilt house draws fire
- Impasse on NHS' time-on-learning mandate
- Off-duty officer charged with driving drunk
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OUI loophole fix in works
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