As an expert in seismology, I can tell you that earthquakes are primarily a ground-based phenomenon. They are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, which creates seismic waves. These waves travel through the Earth and can cause the ground to shake. When a plane is on the ground, especially if it's parked, the seismic waves from an earthquake can cause the ground to move beneath it, and this movement can be felt inside the plane. However, the sensation would not be the same as standing on the ground outside the plane, as the plane's structure and the wheels' contact with the ground can dampen the effects to some extent. If a plane is in motion on the runway, the experience would depend on the intensity of the earthquake and the speed of the plane. A weak earthquake might not be noticeable if the plane is moving, especially if it's already in the process of taking off. Once a plane is airborne, it is no longer in contact with the ground, and therefore, you would not feel an earthquake. The seismic waves that cause the shaking during an earthquake do not travel through the air to any significant extent that could be detected by a plane in flight. In summary, while you might feel some effects of an earthquake if you are on the ground or just starting to move on the runway, you would not feel an earthquake at all if you are in the air. read more >>

If the plane is parked on the ground during a good sized earthquake you'll definitely feel something. If you're moving down the runway, and the quake isn't strong, you may not feel anything. If you're in the air, you won't feel the quake at all.read more >>