The best earthquake tweets

Posted by Dylan Matthews at 02:54 PM ET, 08/23/2011

As you’re probably aware, D.C. was rocked by a 5.9 earthquake: just serious enough that many evacuated buildings, but not serious enough to keep people from cracking jokes about it on Twitter. Here are some of the better ones:

@pareene: “I think Chris Christie just jumped into the race.”

@robdelaney: “Did anyone I have a crush on’s husband or boyfriend die in the earthquake? DM me.”

@ModeledBehavior: “More and more scientists are questioning whether that was a real quake. It is a theory that’s out there.”

@snowed_in: “Breaking: Carole King feels the earth move under her feet.”

@chashomans: “I guess I better get an intern working on a ‘Five Things You Didn’t Know About the Mayan Serpent God’ listicle.”

@MichaelSLinden: “US Geological Survey’s budget was cut by some $20 million this year. #justsaying”

@daveweigel: “DEVELOPING: Earthquake turns Gallup offices upside down. Obama now at 62% approval”

@jdickerson: “Everyone calm down. If this is an earthquake on the east coast we’re supposed to react ironically.”

@balycooley: “I don’t want to die at a freelance job, for god’s sake.”

@pattonoswalt: “Not to panic anyone in NYC, but a screaming John Cusack just drove by in a limo that was missing a door.”

@samfbiddle: “WAS IT PREMATURE TO DO ALL THAT LOOTING”

@politicoroger: “We wouldn’t be having earthquakes like this if Hillary were president.”

@TomFornelli: “WOLF BLITZER IS ON THE PHONE WITH THE EARTHQUAKE.”

@davidfrum: “DC public schools did not dismiss. The kids are tougher than Politico.”

And a few from us:

@ezraklein: “The Ocean’s 13 team is presumably stealing something pretty valuable right now.”

@bradplumer: “A nuclear reactor near epicenter of VA earthquake is designed to withstand a 5.9-6.1 quake: bit.ly/nVW1Tq We got 5.8”

@dylanmatt: “In retrospect, I resorted to cannibalism rather fast after the earthquake.”

Ezra Klein

Ezra Klein is the editor of Wonkblog and a columnist at the Washington Post, as well as a contributor to MSNBC and Bloomberg. His work focuses on domestic and economic policymaking, as well as the political system that’s constantly screwing it up. He really likes graphs, and is on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook. E-mail him here.

Neil Irwin

Neil Irwin is a Washington Post columnist and the economics editor of Wonkblog. Each weekday morning his Econ Agenda column reports and explains the latest trends in economics, finance, and the policies that shape both. He is the author of “The Alchemists: Three Central Bankers and a World on Fire.” Follow him on Twitter here. Email him here.

Sarah Kliff

Sarah Kliff covers health policy, focusing on Medicare, Medicaid and the health reform law. She tries to fit in some reproductive health and education policy coverage, too, alongside an occasional hockey reference. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, Politico, and the BBC. She is on Twitter and Facebook.

Brad Plumer

Brad Plumer is a reporter focusing on energy and environmental issues. He was previously an associate editor at The New Republic. Follow him on Twitter. Email him here.

Dylan Matthews

Dylan Matthews covers taxes, poverty, campaign finance, higher education, and all things data. He has also written for The New Republic, Salon, Slate, and The American Prospect. Follow him on Twitter here. Email him here.