Updated
# 5776
An unusually strong and shallow earthquake struck central Virginia this afternoon, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9. It was reportedly felt as far west as Ohio, as far north as New Hampshire, and as far south as Atlanta.
While damage reports are yet to come in, media is reporting that JFK airport in New York has been shut down, and the Pentagon has been evacuated.
USATODAY has a running news list on this breaking story:
5.9 magnitude quake rocks East Coast
Photo Credits USGS
While large earthquakes in the eastern half of the country are relatively uncommon, they do happen. This appears to be the largest quake in Virginia since the May 31st, 1897 quake in Giles County, Va.
And of course Charleston, S.C. was devastated by a 7.3 magnitude quake in 1886.
USGS map
As you can see by the map above, most of the United States is seismically active – with Alaska, Hawaii, the west coast, and the mid-west seeing the most – and strongest, quakes.
Few places, however, can claim to be completely immune to quakes.
Even in Florida, which is about as seismically quiet as it comes – we’ve recorded quakes. And of course, quakes in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, or Caribbean are even capable of sending Tsunami’s our way.
For information on how to prepare for an earthquake, you may wish to revisit a few of my earlier blogs on seismic risks:
