This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-14653100

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Earthquake leaves Washington schools and monuments shut Earthquake leaves Washington schools and monuments shut
(40 minutes later)
A day after an earthquake rattled the US east coast, Washington schools remained closed and inspectors are assessing damage to national monuments.A day after an earthquake rattled the US east coast, Washington schools remained closed and inspectors are assessing damage to national monuments.
The magnitude-5.8 quake, which some people initially feared was a terrorist attack, caused no known deaths or serious injuries.The magnitude-5.8 quake, which some people initially feared was a terrorist attack, caused no known deaths or serious injuries.
Engineers have been studying cracks in the Washington Monument, and some federal office buildings are also shut. Engineers have been studying cracks in the Washington Monument, and some federal office buildings are shut.
The quake centred on the state of Virginia but was felt widely.The quake centred on the state of Virginia but was felt widely.
It was one of the most powerful tremors to hit the US east coast since 1897.It was one of the most powerful tremors to hit the US east coast since 1897.
High-rise fright
The quake shook Washington DC for about 30 seconds at lunchtime on Tuesday, with the White House, Pentagon and Capitol buildings among sites evacuated across the city.The quake shook Washington DC for about 30 seconds at lunchtime on Tuesday, with the White House, Pentagon and Capitol buildings among sites evacuated across the city.
One of the most damaged buildings was Washington's century-old National Cathedral: three capstones broke off and cracks appeared in some walls. In New York City, the tremor sent many people fleeing high-rises such as the Empire State Building.
"I ran down all 60 flights," accounting office worker Caitlin Trupiano said. "I wasn't waiting for the elevator."
One of the most damaged buildings in the US capital was Washington's century-old National Cathedral: three capstones broke off and cracks appeared in some walls.
Pictures posted on the cathedral's website showed the extent of the damage, including fallen statues.
"Experts are tirelessly working to assess the building damage, both structurally and aesthetically," the cathedral managers said."Experts are tirelessly working to assess the building damage, both structurally and aesthetically," the cathedral managers said.
At the Washington Monument, the obelisk-shaped memorial to America's first president, engineers discovered cracks in the stones at the top.At the Washington Monument, the obelisk-shaped memorial to America's first president, engineers discovered cracks in the stones at the top.
They are evaluating how to repair the monument so it can be reopened to tourists.They are evaluating how to repair the monument so it can be reopened to tourists.
Just two days after the start of the academic year, 126 Washington school buildings were closed on Wednesday.Just two days after the start of the academic year, 126 Washington school buildings were closed on Wednesday.
Poking fun
DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson said the sites were being examined by structural engineers.DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson said the sites were being examined by structural engineers.
The steeple and bell tower at St Patrick's Catholic Church in the city of Baltimore were badly damaged, and the building was closed as a precaution. A handful of federal buildings were also shut on Wednesday, including some offices of the homeland security, agriculture and interior departments.
Federal officials said two nuclear reactors had been taken offline near the epicentre of the quake but that no damage had been reported. Some residents of apartments in the Washington DC suburbs were staying in shelters awaiting structural surveys at those buildings.
Twelve nuclear plants declared "unusual events" after the quake, the lowest classification of emergency. Two nuclear reactors were taken offline as a precaution near the epicentre of the quake, but no damage was reported.
The quake struck some 84 miles (135km) south-west of Washington, at a depth of 3.7 miles. The fuss generated by the relatively mild tremor has prompted some teasing, not least over on the west coast in California, where such events are much more common.
Its epicentre was near the town of Mineral, in the state of Virginia, the US Geological Survey said. Images of toppled lawn chairs and wonky picture frames href="http://i.imgur.com/7kDXs.jpg" >were posted on social networks.
The earthquake that devastated Japan in March released 60,000 times more energy than Tuesday's in the US.
It struck some 84 miles (135km) south-west of Washington, at a depth of 3.7 miles.
The epicentre was near the town of Mineral, in the state of Virginia, the US Geological Survey said.
Three aftershocks were recorded on Tuesday, measuring from 2.2 to 4.8 in magnitude.Three aftershocks were recorded on Tuesday, measuring from 2.2 to 4.8 in magnitude.