Did you feel it? “I thought someone was shaking my bed,” junior Tiff Pelton said. On January 4, 2021, a 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit the midwest about 3.7 miles from Tyndall, South Dakota. The earthquake happened around 8:55 a.m. on Monday morning. The center of the earthquake was just over three miles into the Earth’s crust. People felt it not only in Tyndall, but also in Avon. Although this was recorded as the biggest earthquake in Tyndall (obviously the midwest is not the epicenter of earthquake activity), 17 years ago a 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit the Wessington Springs area.

According to KTIV reporter Dean Welte, “The USGS [United States Geological Survey] says an earthquake of this magnitude is usually felt by several people and the vibrations feel like a truck passing by with hanging objects known to noticeably swing. No damage had occurred with this earthquake.”

Senior Keely Bares obviously agrees. “I thought it sounded like a truck going by, but it lasted too long. My mom said she thought someone was knocking.”

Others who felt the quake commented on their experiences. “I thought my sister was shaking my bed,” 8th grade Ella Small said.

Eighth grader Miley Bares said, “I thought that someone slammed the door, but I didn’t know what to think so I went back to bed.”

“I thought my brother was moving chairs on the floor!” 8th grader Maesa Kuhlman said.

Eighth grader Jaydon Driesen said, “I looked out the window because I actually thought it was a meteor!” Eighth grader Kinley Doom, however, just thought someone was coming into her house.