Rare 5.9 Earthquake Felt in New Jersey and New York

by Donald Hanson • August 23, 2011 • Newsy Jersey • Comments (0) • 2809

Was that shaking from a truck that just drove by? No that was a 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia that was felt along the east coast.

A rare earthquake rattled parts of New Jersey and New York several minutes ago, causing buildings to sway in cities and towns across the region.

The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake was centered in central Virginia, and the Associated Press is reporting the quake was felt in Washington, New York City and North Carolina.

The earthquake was also felt in Virginia and Washington, D.C., according to television news reports. Update : There are reports of the earthquake being felt in : Virginia, Washington D. C., New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina and more.

Newark City Hall was evacuated shortly before 2 p.m., as the building was shaking. A Newark spokeswoman said her entire desk was shaking and her doors were moving for several minutes.

Many buildings have been evacuated in case there are aftershocks, and there are reports of concerns that the Washington Monument and other buildings in D.C. may have structural damage.

2 Virginia Nuclear Power Plants automatically shut down and are being cooled by generators, but are reported to be okay.

New Jersey’s four nuclear power plants are continuing to operate but are being inspected after an earthquake hit the East Coast.

U. S. Weather Service has made a statement that there is no tsunami threat following the earthquake.

Who knows, maybe the people worried about 2012 are right!

nj.com story

News 12 Nuclear Power Plant story