Photograph capturing scene of large-scale earthquake in the United States where nuclear power plant stopped automatically, Federal government buildings were temporarily closed

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 occurred around the eastern coast of the United States including Washington, the capital, at 13:51 on August 23 (Japan time August 24, 2:51).

According to the American Geological Survey, the epicenter was in the state of Virginia, about 140 kilometers southwest of Washington. It was the first time in 114 years since 1897 that the earthquake of such size hit Virginia State for the first time. After the main shock, there was a aftershock of magnitude 2.8. Although the maximum magnitude is shown as 5.9 in the figure, many local media reports magnitude 5.8.


Because of this earthquake, two nuclear reactors at North Anna Nuclear Power Plant in Virginia State are automatically stopped. Although it was out of power due to the earthquake, it seems that cooling of the reactor could be continued with the power supply for emergency. According to the Nuclear Regulation Committee, the lightest "unusual situation" was declared as the level of emergency of four nuclear plants at seven places around the East coast.

Also, the buildings of the federal government such as the State Department in Washington were closed and the staff were evacuated, but no major damage has been reported at the present time. However, the big cities such as Washington and New York are becoming turbulent in an unexpected earthquake, and the appearance which is quite different from its usual situation is often transmitted when seeing the photos of various places.

East Coast Earthquake | Photos - ABC News

5.8 magnitude earthquake shakes D.C. - The Washington Post

Earthquake of M 5.8 in Washington, the US Capital - Power Outage at North Anna Nuclear Power Plant - WSJ Japan version - www.WSJ.com

Due to the earthquake, people who were indoors retreated outdoors at once. People who escape from the building in the capital Washington using the stairs.


Washington Pennsylvania Street is also crowded with people.


Washington citizen looking with anxiety.


Union Station 's home is also crowded.


It seems that the tip of the spire of the National Cathedral has collapsed on one side due to the earthquake.


In the Ontario area near Adams Morgan in Washington, the 2400-2500 bricks from the chimney collapsed, causing damage such as falling onto the car.


People are crowning at the main street of New York.


Market Street in Philadelphia is also overflowing with people who have evacuated. What is there to point to?


Temporary tunnel near the border of New Jersey temporarily closed.


Susan Sproul (left) confirms Susan Davidson's colleague's safety and has a hug.


Members of the secret service are moving on a small street on the roof of the White House. Washington, the capital, was quite close to the epicenter and swayed greatly, so strict guards were laid down for important institutions of the government.


Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Military officials and civilians evacuated outdoors.


Police officers guarding Lincoln Memorial Museum so that people unrelated to it will not enter.


People who work for government agencies in New York were ordered to outdoors and gathered at Foley square.


Families evacuating with Lower Manhattan in New York while keeping the children in the indoor bed.


Likewise, the bride who was raising a wedding ceremony at Lower Manhattan runs through the street to escape.


A building in New York / Fifth Avenue, which is blocked by no-go tape.


From left: Mark Johnson, Tricia Umeh, Ashley Herndon, Shawna Thornton, Ashleigh King. They worked on Fifth Avenue, after evacuating outdoors, they were trying to get in touch with each other on their mobile phones.


New York was full of people all over the place, but it took about one and a half hours after the main shock that most people returned to work.