This morning, the local media devoted nearly every resource they could muster the energy to summon to cover an event that — if you didn’t sleep straight through it — felt like a Metro train or a truck barreling by. Yes, the earthquake.

Let’s straighten some things out here. Is feeling an earthquake in the District of Columbia a rarity? Yes. Was this particular quake somewhat of a sizable one for the region? Sure. Does the quake add to this year’s reputation — what, with all the snow in the winter and the heat waves of late — as one of the most extreme weather years in recent history? Certainly, one could make that argument. Should you report the level of intensity you felt (even if it was nothing more than like what happens when the cat jumps on your bed) to the USGS? Yeah, why not? We approve of scientific study.

But that’s the extent of the news here.

Things like warnings of aftershocks, the ubiquitous reporting on fairly lame reactions, video clips of OMG when the quake of 2010 actually happened! and stand-ups filmed 30 miles away from the epicenter (I’m looking at you NewsChannel 8) all seem a little overboard for something that a) most of us snoozed right through, b) has had no apparent impact on public infrastructure (Metro, utilities, and others note no problems — at least, earthquake-related ones — to this point), and c) lasted for 15 seconds — or less.

Not to mention how Twitter has morphed this morning into a virtual comedy improv session, minus the overpriced booze and awful bar food. I mean, even more so than it usually is.

So, you’ll have to pardon me if I offer a hearty scoff. It’s not like I’m alone in doing so.