An earthquake has struck the US east coast, but there are not thought to be any casualties.
An earthquake has struck the east coast of the US, with tremors felt in popular tourist hotspots including New York, Washington DC and Massachusetts.
According to the
US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was at a magnitude of 5.8 and hit on August 23rd at 13:51 Eastern Daylight Time.
Potentially significant damage was caused by the upheaval, which centred close to Louisa and was felt throughout Northern Virginia, however no casualties are expected as a result of the incident.
Aftershocks have already occurred following the quake, thought to be almost as powerful as the strongest on record in Virginia, when a magnitude 5.9 tremor took place in May 1897, the USGS notes.
US residents are invited to report their observations to the body via its Did You Feel It? website, with more than 10,000 people already claiming to have felt shaking.
The shallow nature of the earthquake could be responsible for its wide-ranging impact, with geologic conditions in the east of the nation more prone to propagating the tremors than western parts, the USGS continues.
Parts of the Pentagon and the White House were evacuated during the incident and President Barack Obama was on the Martha's Vineyard golf course as the quake occurred, with reports that he too felt its effects.
Travel insurance policyholders heading on holiday to the US may wish to bear the event in mind for the future and they might be wise to check whether such incidents would be covered.
The USGS explains earthquakes cannot be predicted, although preparing for such an incident could help to reduce its impact.
By Dennis Clarke
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