A 5.9 earthquake strikes Virginia and other parts of East Coast
August 23, 2011 2:50 PM
by Paula C. Squires
Office workers in downtown Richmond poured out of offices shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday when an earthquake rumbled through central Virginia from its epicenter near Mineral in Louisa County, about 40 miles away. According to the U.
S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 1:51 p.m., was 3.7 miles deep and had a preliminary magnitude of 5.9. It was the largest quake to hit Virginia in more than 100 years, knocking out electric power to North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, causing the station to shut down two nuclear reactors.
(snip - more at link)
http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/news/article/a-5.9-earthquake-strikes-virginia-and-other-parts-of-east-coast/313870/
There was severe shaking in Richmond. I was buying groceries and the windows along the front of the store were flapping so loudly they almost broke.
I heard an explanation today that because of the older geological age of the east coast, the rock beds are harder - so a smaller East Coast earthquake can feel up to 10x stronger than one on the West Coast. After today, I think I believe it.