Errick

Mild Earthquake Reported in Virginia

WASHINGTON - Startled East Coast residents from North Carolina to Maryland were shaken Tuesday by an earthquake (news - web sites) that registered a preliminary magnitude of 4.5.

The U.S. Geological Survey (news - web sites) said the quake occurred about 28 miles west of Richmond — 104 miles south-southwest of Washington. There were numerous reports from people who felt it in three states and the District of Columbia.

Geological Survey spokeswoman Carolyn Bell said there were no immediate reports of damage.

The earthquake occurred in the central Virginia seismic zone, Bell said, a region where quakes have occurred in the past.

The quake occurred at 3:59 p.m. EST and was shallow, at about 3 miles below the Earth's surface.

While quakes are more common in the West they do occur in Eastern states from time to time.

The largest quake in Virginia history took place in Giles County in 1897. It was felt from Georgia to Pennsylvania, some older brick houses were cracked and bricks were thrown from chimneys in the area from Pulaski to Roanoke.

On Feb. 21, 1774, a strong earthquake was felt over much of Virginia and southward into North Carolina. Many houses were moved partly off their foundations at Petersburg and Blandford.

More recently, parts of southwestern Virginia were shaken in 1959.

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Errick

Earthquake Rattles Virginia and D.C. Area

(Washington) - The U.S. Geological Survery is reporting that an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 hit the Washington region. Areas south of Virginia, as far as Richmond, and north through Washington, D.C. and Annapolis felt the quake.

Prince George's County Fire Chief Ron Blackwell says he was in his office when he felt what he thought was a big gust of wind -and thought nothing of it. Blackwell says it lasted more than 30 seconds, but no more than a minute.

A spokeswoman for the D.C. Police Department says they were getting a number of 911 calls about rattling windows, and such, but no reports of any damage.

The earthquake (news - web sites) is considered significant for this part of the East Coast.

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Errick

Moderate Earthquake Reported in Virginia

WASHINGTON - A moderate earthquake (news - web sites) was reported in Virginia Tuesday.

Early estimates were for a quake with a magnitude of 4.5 located west of Richmond, the U.S. Geological Survey (news - web sites) said.

There were reports the temblor was felt in Maryland as well, and police in the District of Columbia said they received a number of calls from people who noticed it.

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