East Coast Surprised by Rare Earthquake, Aftershocks

FIRST PERSON | The 5.8 -magnitude earthquake that shocked the East Coast on Tuesday was unusual but not unheard of. Despite the rarity of strong earthquakes and tremors in the area, it does happen. Parts of the East Coast, such as New York, last experienced an earthquake during the WW II era.

Washington, D.C., seems to be the most visible area damaged by the quake, which was centered approximately 100 miles southwest of D.C. near Louisa and Mineral, Va. Buildings damaged during the quake, such as the Washington Monument, National Cathedral, and Capitol building, were closed indefinitely pending further inspection and completion of necessary repairs.

Unusual places for quakes

Although earthquakes are commonly associated with California, I live in Pittsburgh, Penn., and happened to be sitting at a table on the seventh floor of a building downtown when things began to sway. An earthquake was my first reaction, but I dismissed the idea of a quake actually hitting Pittsburgh. I foolishly blamed it on the construction a few floors below since the workers were using jackhammers. It turns out an earthquake was rocking Pittsburgh.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) website is the ultimate source on earthquake statistics, maps and detailed information relating to earthquake and epicenters. The Midwest and East Coast sections of the United States fall victim to more earthquakes than most are aware of for whatever reason. Other parts of the world have experienced rare earthquakes as well.

Eastern United States

This recent earthquake was nearly as strong as the strongest recorded earthquake in Virginia, a magnitude 5.9, which occurred in May 1897 in Giles County. The USGS reports, “The strongest recorded earthquake to strike the East Coast was the 1886 Charleston, S.C., earthquake, which was about a magnitude 7.3.” Damage and injury reports are unavailable.

New Hampshire has dozens of earthquakes documented on the USGS website dating from the 1600s. In 1925, moderate damage occurred in southeastern New Hampshire and some portions of Maine from an earthquake on Oct. 9. On March 18, 1926, a tremor centered near Manchester occurred, rocking countless buildings and causing dishes to rattle at New Ipswich. Intensity V effects were also observed at Amherst, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Mason, and Wilton.

For several more years, almost annually, major earthquakes and tremors were experienced. There were quakes in March 1927, April 1928, November 1929, November 1935, two quakes (four days apart) in December 1940 and many more over the years. Damage and injury reports were not available.

Europe

In February 1969, a deadly 7.8 -magnitude earthquake shook the Morocco-Portugal area. Centered west of Portugal, the quake killed 13 – two in Portugal, 11 in Morocco – and injured scores. Due to the distance from modern, heavily populated areas, property damage was limited. The majority of injuries were a result of debris falling from brick edifices and other falling debris from balconies and the like.

A vessel in 2,000 fathoms of water out in the Atlantic reported unusual happenings at the time of the earthquake. The captain of the Esso Newcastle reported,according to the Geological Survey:

“A most unusual and frightening incident happened this morning. I was shaken out of bed by a severe shuddering, vibrating and rumbling noise, with a feeling as if the ship was lifting out of the water. My first reaction was that we had lost the propeller or broken a blade … (or) that we had struck some underwater object.”

Earthquakes in uncommon areas are rare, but not unheard of by any stretch of the imagination. Hopefully this latest quake will provoke greater awareness and emergency planning on all levels – both governmental and personal.

Sources:
CNN Live
U.S. Geological Survey, “Historic Earthquakes. Largest earthquake in Virginia”
U.S. Geological Survey, “New Hampshire Earthquake History”
U.S. Geological Survey, “Welcome to the USGS”
U.S. Geological Survey, “USGS Release: Magnitude -5.8 Earthquake Strikes National Capital Area”
Mike Conley, “Quake shakes rare but not unusual”, McDowellNews.com
Abovetopsecret.com, “What’s with all the weird Earthquakes in strange places?”


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