5.8 Earthquake shakes D.C. and NYC

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia, just outside of D.C. sent shock waves up and down the East Coast.  Movement was felt in NYC and all around New Jersey, as far up as Bergen County and as South as North Carolina.  The buildings swayed for about 30 seconds, followed by another shock right after.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the East Coast from Virginia to at least Boston on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The earthquake was centered in Mineral, Virginia, which is 92 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake was initially reported at 5.8 magnitude.

The quake had a very shallow depth of 0.6 miles.

The Pentagon and Capitol Building in Washington were evacuated, as were courthouses in New York City. The earthquake sent Washington office workers scurrying into the streets.

A Reuters witness said the quake was felt as far away as Toronto, Canada.