WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Seismology is in the spotlight following the earthquake that was felt in our region Friday morning.
28/22 News spoke to a Luzerne County professor to discuss the science behind it all. A real-life science lesson unfolded outside the classroom at Wilkes University.
"It was a typical Friday morning until his phone started ringing off the hook," said Dr. Bobak Karimi an associate professor of geology and geophysics at Wilkes University.
"All of my former and current students were constantly reaching out to me, telling me, did you feel it? and I was like, no, what are you talking about," says Dr. Karimi.
He teaches courses related to seismology, the study of earthquakes and seismic waves that move through and around the earth.
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"You might feel it if you're in certain types of buildings, specific locations that are built on different types of materials," continued Dr. Karimi.
Dr. Karimi says the eastern seaboard used to be a tectonically active region but it has not been for a very long time. He tells us Appalachian mountains have a lot of vaults in them that sometimes get reactivated for a variety of reasons.
"They happen all the time we just don't feel them, or they're just so low magnitude we can barely detect them," added Dr. Karimi.
It's a learning experience many won't forget.
"It's really like a case study that's close to home for them to understand complex content and material. you're learning about something that had a role in your life whether it was small or large," explained Dr. Karimi.
People on certain parts of the Wilkes University campus felt the shake, while others did not.
