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Earthquake shakes up D.C. area, AFDW installations

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyenne A. Adams
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. --  Air Force District of Washington servicemembers, employees and families were part of a community shaken by an earthquake Aug. 23.

Although Mineral, Va. was the epicenter of the 5.8-magnitude quake, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior, it was felt states away; including 87 miles away in the Washington, D.C. area.

Some area schools, federal buildings and landmarks are closed as officials continue to assess damage around the National Capital Region. Joint Base Andrews and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling are both back to normal operations, although safety officials and civil engineers continue to inspect for damage throughout all multi-story facilities. Minor damage occurred at these AFDW bases, and no injuries.

"We're extremely thankful there were no injuries and only minor damage," said Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, AFDW commander. "Our people immediately did what they've been trained to do during a crisis situation. Our safety officials and first responders jumped into action and ensured that our servicemembers, civilian employees, retirees, families and children were safe and informed. Our Air Force is a community of wingmen that take care of each other every day and I was proud to see it in high gear yesterday."

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Virginia earthquake occurred within a previously recognized seismic zone, the "Central Virginia Seismic Zone." The Central Virginia Seismic Zone has produced small and moderate earthquakes since at least the 18th century. The previous largest historical shock from the Central Virginia Seismic Zone occurred in 1875.

The dimensions of the individual fault that produced the Aug. 23 earthquake will not be known until longer-term studies are done, but other earthquakes of similar magnitude typically involve slippage along fault segments that are 5 - 15 km long.

Earthquakes in the central and eastern U.S., although less frequent than in the western U.S., are typically felt over a much broader region. East of the Rockies, an earthquake can be felt over an area as much as ten times larger than a similar magnitude earthquake on the west coast. A magnitude 4.0 eastern U.S. earthquake typically can be felt at many places as far as 100 km (60 miles) from where it occurred, and it infrequently causes damage near its source. A magnitude 5.5 eastern U.S. earthquake usually can be felt as far as 500 km (300 mi) from where it occurred, and sometimes causes damage as far away as 40 km (25 mi).