Home > Earthquakes > US: Strong 5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Virginia, Felt in Washington DC, New York City, North Carolina …

US: Strong 5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Virginia, Felt in Washington DC, New York City, North Carolina …


Initial reports stated that this was a 5.8 earthquake and then a 6.0.  USGS is now reporting this as a 5.9.  Felt from Virginia to Massachusetts and as far north as Toronto, Canada …

“(Reuters) – A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the U.S. East Coast and Canada from Virginia to Toronto on Tuesday, shaking buildings and forcing evacuation of the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries from the quake, which the U.S. Geological Survey said was centered in Mineral, Virginia, between Charlottesville and Richmond. It was initially recorded at 5.8 magnitude.

Washington office workers scurried into the streets after the quake, which lasted for about five seconds and sent items crashing to the floor from store and office shelves.

Tremors shook New York City office buildings, prompting evacuations of courthouses, City Hall and halting work at the World Trade Center construction site, officials and witnesses said.

It was not immediately clear if there was any damage or injuries in New York, but fire department and police officials in Dutchess County, north of New York City, reported structural damage to some buildings.” Source.

Nuclear Plant Near Epicenter Shuts Down – “A nuclear power plant located in Louisa County, the epicenter of the earthquake in Virginia, has shut down. The North Anna Power Station, operated by Dominion Power, has two reactors. The plant declared an “unusual event” in the wake of the 5.9 magnitude quake, which is the lowest stage on the plant’s emergency scale. As a result, the plant has been shut down.” Read more.

Categories: Earthquakes
  1. Tremble in NC's avatar
    Tremble in NC
    08/23/2011 at 2:32 PM

    We are here in NC right out side of charlotte…and about 25 minutes ago fekt the ripple effect of virginias earthquake- part of our house shook. for the first 5 seconds all i could think was of the movie 2012. I thought we were going crazy. hope alls well in VA

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  2. ICA's avatar
    ICA
    08/23/2011 at 2:42 PM

    Some friends of mine felt it in Southern Ontario, Canada.

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  3. ICA's avatar
    ICA
  1. 08/23/2011 at 3:46 PM

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