2011 Virginia earthquake
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  | |
| UTC time | ?? |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 5.9 |
| Depth | 0.1 km (0.062 mi)[1] |
| Epicenter | 37°52′30″N 77°54′29″W / 37.875°N 77.908°W |
| Type | Earthquake |
| Areas affected |  United States |
| Max. intensity | MM |
| Tsunami | No |
| Casualties | 0 |
The 2011 Virginia earthquake was a magnitude 5.9 (Mw) intraplate earthquake that occurred on August 23, 2011, at approximately 1:51 PM EST. The focus is reported by the USGS to be about 64 km (39 mi) northwest of Richmond, Virginia near the town of Mineral, Virginia. [1][2]
The earthquake was the highest-magnitude event in Virginia in recorded history.[3]
Impact
Tremors were felt as far away as Ontario, Canada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York and Massachusetts. In Washington, DC the Capitol building and the Pentagon were evacuated, as were many buildings in New York City and Philadelphia.[4][5][1][6] [7][8]
There are reports that the Pentagon, Washington National Cathedral and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have been damaged. [9][10] Ceiling tiles fell to the ground and flights were put to a halt at the airport.[11]
Two nuclear plants in Virginia were taken off line, and Newark Liberty International Airport and JFK Airport were temporarily closed.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d "Magnitude 5.9 - VIRGINIA".
- ^ "BBC News - Earthquake strikes US east coast, felt all the way down in Orlando, FL reported by KCNSEN". bbc.co.uk. 2011 [last update]. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ "Largest earthquake in Virginia State history strikes on Tuesday afternoon measuring almost 6.0". http://www.theweatherspace.com. 2011 [last update]. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help); External link in|work= - ^ Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Hits Virginia, Sends Shockwaves Throughout East Coast | FoxNews.com
- ^ 5.9 magnitude quake rocks East Coast
- ^ "5.9 earthquake hits Virginia, rattles NYC, east coast". ABC News. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/us/24quake.html?hp
- ^ "Delaware Valley Rattled By Earthquake". CBS News. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ Earthquake shakes Washington
- ^ Earthquake reported along the East Coast
- ^ Quake rocks Washington area, felt on East Coast
- ^ Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Hits Virginia, Sends Shockwaves Throughout East Coast | FoxNews.com
See also
 | This article about an earthquake in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |