Possible Earthquake in DC Area

[Kevin]

Literally just moments ago...reported shaking across much of the Eastern US

[Kevin]

Reported 5.8 by USGS...no damage reported but several DC buildings evacuated

[StormNine]

Unrelated but there has been a 5.3 earthquake in Southern Colorado last night. Two odd earthquakes in less than 24 hours.

[Kevin]

Doesn't sound like its going to be a major deal (will get tons of media coverage though of course)...mostly just something to talk about...was a very shallow quake though.

[maryvillereb2003]

felt it here in maryville.

[toastido]

The earthquake was a 5.9 in Northern VA.  Dept was less than 1 mile.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/usc0005ild.php

[Kevin]

Sounds like the biggest disruptions will be from all of these buildings being evacuated along the East Coast for not much reason.  USGS expecting little damage...most in localized areas perhaps nearest the epicenter in VA.

[Thundersnow]

Sounds like the biggest disruptions will be from all of these buildings being evacuated along the East Coast for not much reason.  USGS expecting little damage...most in localized areas perhaps nearest the epicenter in VA.

I'm sure it caused quite a stir for those folks not used to it.  At close to 6.0, it's nothing to sneeze at.  These areas don't have the building codes that California does.  I don't blame them for taking the precautions.  I think the all-clear has now been given to re-enter the buildings for the most part.

For DC and NYC, especially with the 10-year anniversary of 9-11 coming up, I'm sure nerves were rattled for many of a possible terrorist attack before they knew what it was (even considering events going on in the Middle East/Libya today).

[bugalou]

Unrelated but there has been a 5.3 earthquake in Southern Colorado last night. Two odd earthquakes in less than 24 hours.

My thoughts exactly.  Two very atypical quakes in one day.
It serves as a reminder to us in and around West Tennessee that New Madrid is still around.

[Charles L.]

If you have never felt an earthquake before it is a very cool/errie experience all at the same time. No doubt it shook some people up...no pun intended.

[ajatwister]

Totally felt it here. I was in spanish at around 1 today and I could of sworn it felt like someone heavy feet was walking in the classroom as the floor shook ever so slightly. The thing was everyone was in there seats. But then again it could have been something else. its just a little weird that I felt it at the same time the actual earthquake happened. 

Friends and family were sure shook up.

[kailynleto | Nightwolf]

Apparently some buildings with cracked chimneys, cracked walls, and even a couple of straight-up collapses in Louisa County, wherein we had the epicenter...that was a report from a caller to CNN between 2 and 3 pm...

[StormNine]

If you have never felt an earthquake before it is a very cool/errie experience all at the same time. No doubt it shook some people up...no pun intended.

I remember during the 2008 Wabash Fault quake. Being awoken by what sounded like someone had a huge speaker outside my window and turned up the bass.  I just got up and this was my first time experiencing an earthquake so I didn't even know it was an earthquake till later that morning.

[SteveInSmyrna]

I was in Southeast PA when the quake happened, and we definitely felt it here.  The walls of the room is was in were moving in relationship to each other, so it was definitely an expereience that made me uneasy.

I've attached a damage photo below.

[dwagner88]

I fell asleep while watching the news, and when I woke up they were talking about it. Kinda upset that I slept through it. Judging by the facebook statuses of my local friends, it could definitely be felt. The only earthquake I have ever felt was the 4.9 centered in Ft. Payne in 2003. That one woke me up from a deep sleep.