Washington Monument Earthquake Damage Worse Than First Thought (PHOTOS)

Shortly after the rare 5.8 earthquake in Virginia rattled Washington D.C. Tuesday, a Park Service spokesman said there was "absolutely no damage" to the Washington Monument.

A more thorough assessment discovered a crack in the landmark. Not long after, additional damage was found, including three or four "significant" cracks.

The monument has been closed indefinitely for further inspection and repairs, which will take at least a few weeks, according to The Washington Times.

Robert Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial, said in a statement: “The Washington Monument is one of America’s most important landmarks, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that it is restored completely and correctly."

The monument was not the only structure affected. The National Cathedral sustained damage worth an estimated millions in repairs.

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Washington Monument Earthquake Damage

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This image released by the National Park Service shows a crack on the west side near the pyramid top of the Washington Monument Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, after a 5.8 magnitude struck the Washington area on Aug. 23. (AP Photo/U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit)

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This image released by the National Park Service shows a crack on the west side near the pyramid top of the Washington Monument Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, after a 5.8 magnitude struck the Washington area on Aug. 23. (AP Photo/U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit)

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Comments

[charlesfrith]

12:52 AM on 09/03/2011

This makes me very happy. All obelisks including the one in Vatican square are not good.

[kadellagroove]

12:48 AM on 08/31/2011

its clearly a sign from Ronald Reagan. He's angry because we live in a country that taxes cigarets and alcohol and is trying to make woman equal to men.

[hellnomo]

03:18 AM on 08/31/2011

Seriously take a look at who President Reagan was, I do believe our country was more unified when e was in office.

[kadellagroove]

11:37 AM on 08/31/2011

first of all, my comment was a joke about michelle Bachmann's statements that the disasters were signs from God.

Secondly the fact that we were "more unified" under one president or another really doesn't say much about that particular president. were we unified under Abraham lincoln??? not at all, but he is regarded as one of our greatest presidents. History judges presidents because more often than not, the ramifications of a presidents decisions don't usually play out right away. Ronald Reagan was one of the top 5 worst presidents as far as I'm concerned because he let the Fox into the henhouse. He handed our country over to corporate interest. he deregulated the entire economy and gave the keys to the whole thing to the very people who have been screwing us and causing the economic issues we are seeing today. and what blows my mind is that half this country still hail him for his economics. lol

[nfatt1]

05:07 PM on 08/30/2011

Tthe earthquake was caused by George spinning in his grave when he saw what the republicans are doing to the country.

[hellnomo]

03:20 AM on 08/31/2011

I bet he asked GOD who was causing the problems in our country before any spinning.

[Ezio]

08:54 AM on 08/30/2011

I bet it was weapons testing. An earthquake in Colorado at the same time?

[Sencbull]

03:13 PM on 08/29/2011

Once again motion trumps size.

[flashL1ght]

11:16 AM on 08/29/2011

Christian conservative logic dictates that all things must conform with dogma, or else it's not true. So the litmus test here for people of Bachmann's (and Pat Robertson's) mentality is simply if it fits within their certain worldview, then... sure, why not!. So, earthquake and a hurricane? Sounds like divine intervention...fits into what the Bible claims to have happened in the past...so it's true! It's sad that she's gotten this far into our government.

[Isabella Caldwell]

12:13 PM on 08/30/2011

"simply if it fits within their certain worldview"

So if something doesn't fit with your worldview, it's wrong then? We all view things through a certain lens -some people are just more forthright about it than others.

[flashfyre]

01:55 PM on 08/27/2011

When the quake hit I was concerned about severe damage -- large earthquakes are somewhat infrequent on the Eastern side of the country. Overall, I think it's not too bad. Looks like a little block and mortar repair for the W. monument. Too bad about the Cathedral though -- lots of work to do there.

[BCS]

01:26 AM on 08/28/2011

I was kind of hoping the earth would open up and swallow Capital Hill.

[Dragontech]

06:41 PM on 08/29/2011

No, even the Earth doesn't want them.

[cedy]

01:36 PM on 08/27/2011

I say tear the thing down, put a McDonalds in its place and staff it with chinese immigrants.

[CanComment]

02:19 PM on 08/31/2011

Sorry, --not actually funny. :>) Besides, I don't like soya sauce on my Big Mac.

[linbee50]

09:48 AM on 08/27/2011

At least the monument is still standing and can be repaired. At least people did not die. There are a couple of positives.

[charlesfrith]

12:54 AM on 09/03/2011

It's an obscenity and if you fully understood obelisks you would be appalled at what you wrote.

[elicourey]

09:12 AM on 08/27/2011

duct tape and super glue

[danceswithdata]

01:07 AM on 08/27/2011

Fix it please. And if the damage isn't dangerous do not prevent tourists from going inside to take a look at and from this spectacular structure. Many people are traveling to Wash DC for the first time ever, and may never go back. Don't rob them of a truly great experience.

[sstevens37]

11:54 PM on 08/26/2011

now the monument speaks truth

[Tom Joad]

11:53 PM on 08/26/2011

...to fix it, they will need to erect scaffolding around the outside, and because it will be winter, they will wrap the scaffolding in plastic to keep wind and weather off the workers...now just pause to imagine what the Washington Monument wrapped in plastic will look like...get yer cameras ready!...

[invirginia]

09:58 AM on 08/27/2011

It was already wrapped during the 1990s renovation. Looked like a giant condom.

[brutus1065]

08:51 PM on 08/28/2011

I am strill laughing

[sculptor]

11:42 PM on 08/26/2011

Yes, it was a sign from God that things made from stone crack in an earthquake! He's an old geezer now and it wouldn't be fair to disparage him, but the people that broadcast or propagate his nonsense, that's another story.

[invirginia]

09:59 AM on 08/27/2011

You'd think that god would have made that crack a little more dramatic if he wanted to send a message.

[Tom Joad]

11:28 PM on 08/26/2011

Robert Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial, said in a statement: “The Washington Monument is one of America’s most important landmarks, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that it is restored completely and correctly."

...whereupon House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor corrected “The Washington Monument is one of America’s most important landmarks, and we will make whatever spending cuts it takes to offset costs encumbered to ensure that it is restored completely and correctly."