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Washington, D.C. Earthquake 2011: 5.8 Earthquake Hits Nation's Capital, Felt In New York

Earthquake in Washington D.C.

Preliminary reports are indicating that a 5.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in Virginia at 1:51 pm EDT., according to the USGS.

Shaking has been reported as far north as New York. Reports of shaking have also been coming in from the New England area. According to the USGS, a magnitude 5.5 Eastern US earthquake can typically be felt as far as 300 miles away.

The USGS reported that epicenter of the quake was located in Louisa, Va. just southeast of Charlottesville and northwest of Richmond.

From the AP:

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was half a mile deep. Shaking was felt at the White House and all over the East Coast, as far south as Chapel Hill, N.C. Parts of the Pentagon, White House and Capitol were evacuated. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

UPDATE: The USGS has since upgraded the magnitude of the earthquake to 5.9 and stated that it occurred at a depth of about 0.1 miles.

UPADTE 2: Upon further review, the USGS has adjusted the magnitude of the quake back to 5.8 and adjusted the estimated depth to 3.7 miles.

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