Earthquake in Virginia shakes several states
By Knoxville Daily Sun Staff
August 23, 2011, 2:57 p.m.

Washington Monument, 2010. Image by Knoxville Daily Sun Staff

At 1:51 p.m. EST a 5.9 magnitude Earthquake hit Virginia and shook the east coast as far as New York City and Chapel Hill, N.C.

Our friends in Virginia, DC, Philadelphia, and New York are continually updating us. At the point of writing this, the exact epicenter is unknown but officials believe it was near Louisa, Va.

45 km (27 miles) E of Charlottesville, Virginia 55 km (34 miles) SW of Fredericksburg, Virginia 64 km (39 miles) NW of RICHMOND, Virginia 82 km (50 miles) North NE of Farmville, Virginia.

There was a brief panic and all flights at Reagan National Airport were put on hold.

Many buildings along the east coast were evacuated and there have been reports of structural damage, but they are unconfirmed. There are other reports that the National Monument is tilting.

Knoxville Daily Sun will continue to keep you updated.