Over 600 Aftershocks Since Actual Virginia Earthquake on August 23, 2011

Earthquake Aftershocks In Our Area Are Overwhelming

Hello Readers, I want to bring you up-to-date with the latest information regarding the earthquake of August 23, 2011. Do you believe all the shocks will soon be over, or if there’ll be another earthquake in our Virginia Areas…makes me be concerned?

It’s overwhelming the number of earthquake aftershocks in Virginia since our rare East Coast earthquake which struck August 23, 2011. According to the U.S. Geological Survey researchers there have been more than 600 in Virginia.

Mark Carter in a Twitter lecture titled, “Did You Feel It?” “What we might be looking at is either a new fault or a previously undiscovered one deep within the geologic formations here.”

Many of the aftershocks following the 5.8 magnitude quake were strong enough to be recorded on the USGS “Latest Earthquakes” website, but there have been about 40 or more tremors of magnitude 2.0 or higher.

According to Mike Blanpied, associate program coordinator for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, “This earthquake was felt from Florida to Ontario in Canada and as far west as the Mississippi River.” He indicated, the quake was the strongest in Virginia in 114 years and it left $100 million in damages.”

In Mineral, near the epicenter, a school was seriously damaged and also the North Anna Nuclear Power Plant remains offline as workers continue to check for possible damages.

Blanpied stated the Virginia quake is significant because of the East Coast’s lack of preparedness of the for such events and because the shaking was felt and caused damage for a long distance.

Blanpied indicated, “Earthquakes in the East are different. Underneath us is the middle of a tectonic plate, so it’s been very quiet. He also indicated, our geology is very smooth and not fractured, so there’s nothing to stop an earthquake from spreading.

Carter stated, despite the damage and the unnerving aftershocks…it could have been worse. “I’ll leave you with a reminder that we really did dodge a bullet here. The fact there were no casualties is amazing.”

Reference:
News & Messenger Serving Prince William, Manassas & Manassas Part, writer, Kari Pugh


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