A magnitude 2.8 earthquake occurred in the Wyndham/Short Pump area of Richmond, felt by residents as far away as Fairfax County. The quake was reported at 5:28 p.m. with no damage or injuries. It originated from the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, highlighting the impact such events can have across a larger area on the East Coast.
On Tuesday evening at 5:28 p.m., a magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck the Wyndham/Short Pump area of Henrico County, located northwest of Richmond, Virginia. Reports from the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the tremor was perceptible as far away as Fairfax County, with residents in other regions, including Oakton, Culpeper, and Front Royal, also experiencing the quake. Despite the widespread sensation of shaking, authorities have confirmed that there were no incidents of damage or injuries reported following the event.
The earthquake occurred within the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, noteworthy for housing significant fault lines, including the one responsible for the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that impacted central Virginia in August 2011. Such geological events in the eastern United States are often felt over a larger area compared to those in the western regions, which experts attribute to a “colder and older” Earth crust and the maturity of local fault lines. Consequently, residents in various locations reported feelings of tremors during this minor seismic event, underscoring the unique geological characteristics of the East Coast.
In summary, the magnitude 2.8 earthquake that rattled the Short Pump area near Richmond serves as a reminder of the area’s seismic activity linked to the Central Virginia Seismic Zone. While significantly felt across multiple locations, there were no reports of harm or structural damage. This incident highlights the geological features that cause such phenomena to be experienced over wider regions on the East Coast compared to other areas of the country.
Original Source: www.insidenova.com
