Hi Chris,

Westwood is actually right in the middle of the basin if that makes sense. I believe the basin extends as far south as Long Beach and as far east as the I.E. So therefore Westwood is smack in the middle. Westwood sits right at the base of the south side of the Santa Monica mountains. Right on the other side is the San Fernando Valley.

58 seconds makes sense to me. I remember after Loma Prieta everyone said it was 15 seconds. Yes, to an extent. It was 15 seconds of major shaking. I DID time it, and for another 2 minutes after the major shaking, things continued to vibrate and move in my home on ground floor. I learned then that waves indeed bounce around after the main shock. I'm sure that is what Catheryn experienced, in addition her building was on rollers so I'm sure that compounded it as well. I'd be willing to guess it may have even gone longer than 58 seconds.