5.8-Magnitude Earthquake Jolts the Eastern Part of the U.S.

5.8-magnitude quake jolts eastern U.S. - Washington Times

  

On Tuesday, the largest Virginia earthquake in more than a century jolted Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, which prompted widespread building evacuations, snarling traffic and sending emergency crews scrambling after reports of superficial damage and minor injuries.  The quake was felt as far away as Maine, Cincinnati, and Atlanta.  It rumbled across the D.C. region at 1:51 p.m., bewildering tourists, residents, and workers who spilled onto city streets while offices, schools, and attractions were inspected for structural damage.  There were no immediate reports of serious injuries from the earthquake.  The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered around 34 miles north of Richmond, near Mineral, Virginia, which had a magnitude of 5.8. 

The district's monuments and museums were evacuated, and Freedom Plaza was jammed with tourists and federal workers who watched as emergency vehicles raced up and down Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol.  The Washington Monument will be closed indefinitely while the National Park Service inspects it for possible.  Click on the above link from the Washington Times to read the rest of the story.