This should be interesting (the Washington Monument)

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

According to CNN. There will be what looks like a military operation like a movie in which guys in full gear will repel each surface of the external part of the Washington monument. They are of course, assessing the monument for damage after that 5.8 quake in August, but I imagine someone can use the footage in a film.

Calling Michael Bay!

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Did you see the videos from inside the monument as the earthquake was happening that the National Park Service just released?

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm

 

[Sean Aaron]

Did you see the videos from inside the monument as the earthquake was happening that the National Park Service just released?

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm

Doesn't look that bad. I have to say the fact that you can go into it is a bit of a surprise. I had thought the monument was a solid structure. Isn't the country pretty flat around there?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Did you see the videos from inside the monument as the earthquake was happening that the National Park Service just released?

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm

Wow. That must have been terrifying for those people.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Did you see the videos from inside the monument as the earthquake was happening that the National Park Service just released?

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm

Wow. That must have been terrifying for those people.

Probably if they've never been through an earthquake before. I've been through worse aftershocks myself.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Did you see the videos from inside the monument as the earthquake was happening that the National Park Service just released?

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm

Wow. That must have been terrifying for those people.

Probably if they've never been through an earthquake before. I've been through worse aftershocks myself.

Yeah, well, the vast majority of people on the US East Coast had never experienced any noticeable quakes until that one.

And really? Glass falling on your head is no big deal?

The quake wasn't a big deal to me, as I was on the ground and my building didn't shake too much. Try being hundreds of feet up in a narrow, stone structure with glass and debris raining down on you, and tell me you're not at all bothered.

 

[Sean Aaron]

The quake wasn't a big deal to me, as I was on the ground and my building didn't shake too much. Try being hundreds of feet up in a narrow, stone structure with glass and debris raining down on you, and tell me you're not at all bothered.

What I found more "bothersome" about Loma Prieta was the fact that the aftershocks went on for days. Years later a heavy truck could make the ground move a bit and I'd freeze. A one-off of having some dust and pebbles fall on my head as I made my way down some stairs in a shaky building would have been preferable.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Did you see the videos from inside the monument as the earthquake was happening that the National Park Service just released?

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm

Wow. That must have been terrifying for those people.

Probably if they've never been through an earthquake before. I've been through worse aftershocks myself.

It could have something to do with being at the top of a 165-year-old 555-foot tall hollow stone obelisk not built to earthquake standards that took forty years (with major gaps) between laying the cornerstone and opening, and having pieces of the ceiling fall on your head as it sways wildly back and forth.

It's not exactly the same situation as being in a modern skyscaper in LA, Frisco, or Tokyo that's designed to withstand earthquakes and where the swaying is intentional and expected.

I'd be nervous and hauling ass downstairs in that situation too, and I've been through several large quakes.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'd be curious to see what an earthquake is like way up in the Gateway Arch, since that thing sways back and forth by design, all the time.

 

[Sean Aaron]

It could have something to do with being at the top of a 165-year-old 555-foot tall hollow stone obelisk not built to earthquake standards that took forty years (with major gaps) between laying the cornerstone and opening, and having pieces of the ceiling fall on your head as it sways wildly back and forth.

My devil-may-care attitude is due to my enormous manhood.

 

[Finn]

Did you see the videos from inside the monument as the earthquake was happening that the National Park Service just released?

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/washington-monument-earthquake-update.htm

Doesn't look that bad. I have to say the fact that you can go into it is a bit of a surprise. I had thought the monument was a solid structure. Isn't the country pretty flat around there?

No, rolling hills around here. Lot of the land around the national monument was originally a swamp or entirely underwater.

 

[Sean Aaron]

No, rolling hills around here. Lot of the land around the national monument was originally a swamp or entirely underwater.

I still find it hard to believe the view is as impressive as that from the top of the Sears Tower or the CN Tower.

 

[Kira's Mom]

I'd be curious to see what an earthquake is like way up in the Gateway Arch, since that thing sways back and forth by design, all the time.

Well, the New Madrid fault is long overdue for a major quake...so people might get to find out soon.

I was scared as it was when the quake hit...I can't imagine what it would have been like in the Washingon Monument!

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'd be curious to see what an earthquake is like way up in the Gateway Arch, since that thing sways back and forth by design, all the time.

Well, the New Madrid fault is long overdue for a major quake...so people might get to find out soon.

I was scared as it was when the quake hit...I can't imagine what it would have been like in the Washingon Monument!

Yeah, I used to live in southwestern Illinois, so I know all about New Madrid. Felt quite a few mild shakers over the years.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

No, rolling hills around here. Lot of the land around the national monument was originally a swamp or entirely underwater.

I still find it hard to believe the view is as impressive as that from the top of the Sears Tower or the CN Tower.

It's probably not, because there's a strict height limit enforced on other buildings in Washington DC which means that the view from the top of the Monument looks down on the city and the surrounding countryside. We're a city without a skyline, as they often put it.

 

[Finn]

No, rolling hills around here. Lot of the land around the national monument was originally a swamp or entirely underwater.

I still find it hard to believe the view is as impressive as that from the top of the Sears Tower or the CN Tower.

It depends on how you define impressive

 

[Kirby]

And really? Glass falling on your head is no big deal?

[John McClane] Glass? Who gives a shit about glass?[/John McClane]

 

[Maurice]

I've been to the top of the monument and the view is actually impressive because you're not looking down on a bunch of other tall buildings' roofs, you looking right down to the ground all the way around.

 

[I Grok Spock]

No, rolling hills around here. Lot of the land around the national monument was originally a swamp or entirely underwater.

I still find it hard to believe the view is as impressive as that from the top of the Sears Tower or the CN Tower.

I've been in all three, and while it doesn't have the same "holy shit this is high" effect as the CN or Willis (née Sears) Towers, it does offer a beautiful view of the city and its environs.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Willis (née Sears) Towers

Cute, I didn't realise some insurance wankers had purchased the right to rename the building. Damned if I'll ever call it that, though.

That view is nice; still not interested in visiting D.C. though.