5.9 Quake hits virginia

[havoc1482]

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Residents of Western Massachusetts felt the impact of an earthquake in Virginia early Tuesday afternoon.

The US Geological Survey registered it as a 5.9 magnitude quake in central Virginia. The quake's, which happened around 1:51 P.M. had its epicenter about four miles south of Mineral, Virginia (located between Richmond and Charlottesville).

In Western Massachusetts, the quake was felt as a 2.8 magnitude quake.

Reports have been coming in to 22News and WWLP.com from throughout all four counties of Western Massachusetts, as well as from viewers in northern Connecticut. Many have submitted their earthquake observations via our Report It feature. The quake could be felt all along the east coast, and inland as far away as Indiana.

There are no confirmed reports of damage anywhere in New England, but buildings in downtown Springfield and Northampton were evacuated following the quake. Massachusetts State Police report no damage or injuries in Massachusetts at this time.

According to Azell Cavaan, spokesperson for the Springfield Public Schools, custodians at all schools were instructed to check the buildings for any damage. All of the schools have been determined to be safe.

While nuclear reactors at the North Anna Power Station in Virginia (located in the same county as the epicenter) were taken offline following the quake, there has been no change at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. Plant spokesperson Larry Smith told 22News that their seismic monitors did not indicate an earthquake in Vernon, Vermont (where the plant is located). He added that it is business as usual at the plant.

Evacuations were widespread throughout the East Coast, with the Pentagon being evacuated. There was a reported water main break at the Pentagon as well.

The Virginia quake was not the only earthquake on the East Coast Tuesday. There was a smaller earthquake earlier which was centered just west of Albany, New York around 6:30 A.M. That earthquake measured a magnitude 2.2.

In addition to the initial quake in Virginia, the USGS reports a 2.8 magnitude aftershock at 2:47 P.M.

Supposedly Virginia's biggest since May 5, 1897

[Ringo64]

Chicopee!!

But towards the quake, I didn't feel anything

Good that there was no reported damage.

[markpetersonii]

Meh. Welcome to the rest of the country.

[Jedi3]

I dident feel anything in SC.