> If this were the type of earthquake that all of a sudden snaps, jerks about two feet in one way then back again about three to four times and ends with a rumbling shake

It's all about the distance. If you are close it will feel like a jolt, if you are far away it will feel like a wave. There are a couple of reasons for this which I am sure no one really wants me to get into, but that is the net effect.