Kamasami Kong writes:
On Sunday, September 5th, 2004, a big quake hit Osaka. It was a ~relatively~ small one compared to the Great Hanshin Earthquake that hit us (in Kobe) about 10-years ago, in 1995. Nonetheless, this "small" one shook the entire area, caused all TV stations to go to Emergency Quake Alert status and scared the living s*** out of those of us who live in multi-storied buildings -- which is about everyone in this densely populated area (Japan's 2nd largest city) of southwestern Japan. The photo is a view from my room that was swaying.
I experienced the quake from the perspective of the 31st floor and it was scary! I was using my video camera to try to capture the swaying curtains, but noticed this sound upon playback. Of course, we heard the creepy creaking during the actual event but were too shaken-up to notice just how scary it was at that moment. Anyway, this creaking continued for about 20-minutes after the initial shock as the quake-proof, 37-floor high rise in central Osaka swayed back and forth as it absorbed the shock. It was like being on the deck of a ship...31-floors in the air!
As you listen to the creepy creaking, you'll hear the frightened voices of my girlfriend and me. The other voice you hear is from the TV, the actual quake report (English version) from NHK-TV. I'm not sure this can compete with your sounds from hell, but I promise you, it's just as scary.
Illustration: Getty Images