The 2011 east coast earthquake felt by people from Georgia to Canada likely originated from a fault “junction” just outside of Mineral, Virginia, according to new U.S. Geological Survey research published in the Geological Society of America’s Special Papers.
What year was the earthquake in Virginia?
August 23, 2011
2011 Virginia earthquake/Start dates
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Ten years ago, millions of people were shocked and surprised at the sudden shaking on the afternoon of August 23, 2011.
What was the largest earthquake in Virginia?
Until the magnitude 5.8 earthquake in 2011, the largest earthquake to occur in Virginia was the 1897 magnitude 5.8 Giles County earthquake. This earthquake is the third largest in the eastern US in the last 200 years and was felt in twelve states.
Are there any fault lines in Virginia?
Most earthquakes in Virginia are not associated with a known fault, but occur within three distinct seismic zones: the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ) includes Lee County in far southwestern Virginia; the Giles County Seismic Zone (GCSZ) extends through the New River Valley; and the Central Virginia Seismic Zone …
How common are earthquakes in VA?
Virginia has had over 160 earthquakes since 1977 of which 16% were felt. This equates to an average of one earthquake occurring every month with two felt each year. Until the magnitude 5.8 earthquake in 2011, the largest earthquake to occur in Virginia was the 1897 magnitude 5.8 Giles County earthquake.
Does Virginia have the least earthquakes?
The United States east of the Mississippi has many fewer earthquakes than does the west, and western quakes are stronger. However, the less-intense eastern earthquakes can cause damage further away from their origin. Virginia is pretty stable, but just about any place in the state can experience an earthquake.
Is Virginia in a seismic zone?
The Virginia Seismic Zone in the U.S. state of Virginia covers about 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 sq mi) in the Piedmont province. Earthquakes in the state are irregular and rarely reach over 4.5 in magnitude.
What happened to the chimney in Louisa County?
Photo of chimney damage at a house in Louisa County, Virginia. This was a result from a magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Virginia on August 23, 2011. (Credit: Francis Ashland, USGS.
What was the depth of the earthquake in Virginia?
The M5.8 earthquake initiated near the town of Mineral, Virginia, about 65 km northwest of Richmond, Virginia at a depth of about 6-8 km. The shaking was felt by approximately one-third of the U.S. population, and there were reports that it caused minor damage as far away as Charleston, South Carolina, roughly 600km from the epicenter.
How much damage did the Washington DC earthquake cause?
The total economic losses from the earthquake were about $200-$300 million, which included millions of dollars in damage to the National Cathedral, the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and the Washington Monument in Washington D.C., as well as minor to major damage to almost 600 residential properties.
What is the central Virginia Seismic Zone?
The earthquake occurred in what scientists refer to as the “Central Virginia Seismic Zone”, a region characterized by low-level seismicity since at least 1774. The zone extends east-west about 120km from the Fall Line to Blue Ridge and is about 100km wide in the north-south direction.
