Earthquake!

Shortly after 1:50pm, an earthquake with a measurement of 5.8 was felt throughout the Richmond metro area, originating 38 miles west of the city. It was also reported that people as far north as Portland, Maine and Southern Ontario, Canada felt the ground tremble.

Shortly after 1:50pm, an earthquake with a measurement of 5.8 was felt throughout the Richmond metro area, originating 38 miles west of the city. It was also reported that people as far north as Portland, Maine and Southern Ontario, Canada felt the ground tremble.

If the current magnitude estimate holds, this recent 5.8 quake will tie This 5.8 magnitude quake ranks second to the previous record set in 1897 in Giles County, Virginia. Tremors were felt for six days after that initial quake.

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Leave reports/accounts below in the comments.

Reports/Updates

  • Cellphone service in the area appears to be spotty. We are having a hard time making / receiving calls specifically using Verzion.
  • We are hearing reports of tremors felt as far north as Toronto, as far south as Charleston, and as far west as Illinois.
  • Several buildings downtown, including City Hall, have been evacuated.
  • Both reactors at the North Anna nuclear power plant were automatically shut down.
  • Operations continue at Richmond International Airport, but they may see diversions from other airports.
  • Kings Dominion has temporarily closed all attractions. Some attractions at Kings Dominion are closed.
  • A magnitude 4.2 aftershock was recorded around 8:00pm and could be felt and heard throughout the region. This followed the two prior aftershocks earlier this afternoon measuring 2.8 and 2.2 that were too small to be felt.

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