5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Toronto to Atlanta (PHOTOS)

By Michelle A. Vu, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, August 23, 2011

WASHINGTON – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck near Mineral, Va., on Tuesday at 1:51 p.m. Mineral is located in central Virginia, about 90 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.

The temblor could be felt as far north as Toronto, as far south as Atlanta, and as far west as Detroit. It was the largest earthquake centered in Virginia since May 31, 1987. The earthquake caused the evacuation of the White House, Pentagon, U.S. Capitol building, and office buildings in Washington, D.C.

People were seen huddled in front of their office buildings in downtown D.C. after being evacuated for their safety. The stop light on 14th and F street NW, two blocks from the White House, was out of order, blinking red and causing a major traffic build-up as far as the eye could see.

The following are photos of downtown Washington, D.C. after the earthquake.

Workers evacuated from their offices in downtown Washington, D.C. gathered on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, shortly after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck central Virginia and rattled cities from Toronto to Atlanta. — Workers evacuated from their offices in downtown Washington, D.C. gathered on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, shortly after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck central Virginia and rattled cities from Toronto to Atlanta. | (Photo: The Christian Post)

Buildings in downtown Washington, D.C. were evacuated after a reportedly 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in central Virginia struck at 1:51 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The quake could be felt from Toronto to Georgia. — Buildings in downtown Washington, D.C. were evacuated after a reportedly 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in central Virginia struck at 1:51 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The quake could be felt from Toronto to Georgia. | (Photo: The Christian Post/Amanda Winkler)

Traffic jam on 14th street in downtown Washington, D.C. after a reportedly 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in central Virginia struck at 1:51 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The quake could be felt from Toronto to Georgia. — Traffic jam on 14th street in downtown Washington, D.C. after a reportedly 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in central Virginia struck at 1:51 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The quake could be felt from Toronto to Georgia. | (Photo: The Christian Post/Amanda Winkler)

Workers at the U.S. Treasury Annex building, across the street from the White House, wait in line to reenter the building after being evacuated because a reportedly 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in central Virginia struck at 1:51 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The quake could be felt from Toronto to Georgia. — Workers at the U.S. Treasury Annex building, across the street from the White House, wait in line to reenter the building after being evacuated because a reportedly 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in central Virginia struck at 1:51 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The quake could be felt from Toronto to Georgia. | (Photo: The Christian Post/Amanda Winkler)

Civilians and members of the U.S. military are pictured outside the Pentagon following an earthquake along the eastern United States, August 23, 2011. — Civilians and members of the U.S. military are pictured outside the Pentagon following an earthquake along the eastern United States, August 23, 2011. | (Photo: REUTERS/Jason Reed)

Workers are evacuated from the New York State Supreme Courthouse after an earthquake strikes the East Coast of the United States, in New York August 23, 2011. — Workers are evacuated from the New York State Supreme Courthouse after an earthquake strikes the East Coast of the United States, in New York August 23, 2011. | (Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

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