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Few NoVA Residents Felt The 'Gentle Shimmy' Of Earthquake: Survey
Did you feel the 4.8 magnitude earthquake Friday morning? Let us know in Northern Virginia where you did or didn't witness it.
VIRGINIA — A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was felt in parts of the East Coast Friday morning, including parts of the DC region. But a survey of Virginia Patch readers found many did not feel an earthquake.
The earthquake was recorded in New Jersey about 4 miles northeast of Whitehouse Station. That's located in the northern part of the state, roughly between Trenton and New York City.
The shaking began about 10:30 a.m. and lasted for about 30 seconds, according to reports. The quake was felt as far as New York City and Philadelphia to Maryland and DC.
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In our survey of Virginia readers with over 370 responses, over 82 percent said they did not feel the earthquake.
"I was outside walking and did not feel anything," said a Reston reader in the survey.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"I heard unusual loud noise in the basement, like something heavy being pushed around but didn't feel the earthquake," a Fairfax reader added.
There were small numbers of readers everywhere from Fairfax City, Manassas and Woodbridge to Alexandria, Arlington and D.C. and even Richmond who felt it. But not every respondent from those towns felt an earthquake.
"My computer monitor was shaking for about 15-20 seconds as my boss (who is in NJ) told me he'd just felt a strong earthquake," shared a reader in Alexandria.
"Very light, only saw my lamp shaking. Did not think too much of it," added a Woodbridge reader.
A reader in Arlington shared a similar experience, "It felt like a gentle shimmy, with no rhythm, that lasted for about 15 seconds. In my mind, there was no question that it was an earthquake because I have experienced them before.
"Had no idea what it was at the time. Rumbling lasted about 30 seconds. Shower doors rattled and tv mounted to the wall shook," a Burke reader shared.
The U.S. Geological Survey, which monitors seismic activity, is asking residents if they felt the quake.
We want to know if you felt the earthquake in Northern Virginia and what town you are in. Take our quick survey below.
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