New Jersey

5.9 earthquake rocks the east coast

A rare earthquake centered in Virginia shook parts of New Jersey and New York shortly before 2 p.m.

Published

15 years ago

August 23, 2011

Photo by Wilson Malone: https://www.pexels.com/photo/orange-and-white-traffic-pole-on-cracked-gray-asphalt-road-4558211/

A rare earthquake on the east coast centered in Virginia shook parts of New Jersey and New York shortly before 2 p.m.

There were no immediate injuries reported or structural damage in the cities.

The 5.9 earthquake hit at 1:51pm 34 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia. The Associated Press is reporting the quake was felt in Washington, D.C., New York City and North Carolina.

USGS Geophysicist Julie Dutton said an earthquake of this magnitude is rare for the East Coast but the effects are felt widely in the region because quakes move more easily through the bedrock.

“It is definitely unusual to have a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Virginia,” Dutton said.

Source : NJ.COM

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