@catsalad I am from Chile. Lived the 2010 earthquake at 300km from the epicenter. Is.... an experience, it was at night when everyone was sleeping (3:34am), first you can't walk straight as the sense of balance is completely gone, the first we noticed was the noise, like a train coming and in the worst of it you can actually feel the earthquake waves like a massive tsunami, is like being neck down on the ocean during a tidal wave. The sound of the house shaking and cracking was frightening. After that, your balance is still fucked, and the rush of adrenaline and dread is something else. You can watch some videos online of the event.

EDIT: My current kitty starts meowing before we feel the movement! is our personal earthquake detector.