The 2.2 magnitude earthquake was reported six miles west-northwest from Short Pump, and 17 miles northwest of Richmond. (Note: The earthquake was initially reported by the USGS as a 2.4, but it was later downgraded.)
When was the last earthquake in Richmond Virginia?
in Richmond, VA, Tuesday, August 23, 2011, after an earthquake caused evacuation of many structures in the city. The center of the quake, reportedly was centered in Mineral, VA, to the northwest of Richmond.
How common are earthquakes in Virginia?
Virginia has had over 160 earthquakes since 1977 of which 16% were felt. This equates to an average of one earthquake occurring every month with two felt each year. Click here for a summary of the largest earthquakes in Virginia.
When was Virginia’s last earthquake?
2011 Virginia earthquake
| Show map of Virginia Show map of the United States Show all | |
|---|---|
| Local date | August 23, 2011 |
| Local time | 1:51:04 pm EDT |
| Magnitude | 5.8 Mw |
| Depth | 6 km (4 mi) |
When was the earthquake in Richmond Virginia?
Aug. 23, 2011
LOUISA, Va. (WWBT) – A massive earthquake centered in Louisa County struck the East Coast on Aug. 23, 2011. The quake, which hit just before 2 p.m. that day, measured 5.8 on the Richter scale.
Could a tsunami hit Richmond Virginia?
There are no such narrow mountain valleys along Virginia’s flat Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Hollywood movies may suggest there is a possibility of a dramatic life-extinguishing tsunami, but planning for a wave of that height hitting Virginia is not a realistic scenario.
Is Virginia near a fault line?
Most earthquakes in Virginia are not associated with a known fault, but occur within three distinct seismic zones: the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ) includes Lee County in far southwestern Virginia; the Giles County Seismic Zone (GCSZ) extends through the New River Valley; and the Central Virginia Seismic Zone
Could a tsunami hit Virginia?
While tsunamis are typically associated with the Pacific Rim states, they have occurred in the Eastern United States. In fact, the National Geophysical Data Center reports 40 tsunamis and tsunami-like waves have been documented in the Eastern United States since 1600 (none directly impacting Hampton Roads).
What US state has no earthquakes?
Is there any place in the world that doesn’t have earthquakes? Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World.
Where do 70% of all earthquake occur at?
The hypocentre of an earthquake is the area below the earth’s surface; it is the place where the earthquake began. Over 70% of earthquakes occur around the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
What was the biggest earthquake in Virginia?
2011. Aug. 23. Louisa County, central Virginia.
The epicenter of Virginia’s largest earthquake was 13 km south-southwest of Mineral, Virginia, in the central Virginia seismic zone. The shock is known as the Mineral earthquake. The moment magnitude was Mw 5.7, mbLg magnitude 6.3.
Why does Virginia not have many earthquakes?
Since Virginia is in the relatively-stable inner portion of a plate, Virginia does not experience the large-magnitude earthquakes that affect Los Angeles, Alaska, Haiti, Japan, Chile, or other places that are on a tectonic plate’s edge.
Where is the biggest fault line in the USA?
The San Andreas Fault is a continental transform fault that extends roughly 1,200 kilometers (750 mi) through California. It forms the tectonic boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, and its motion is right-lateral strike-slip (horizontal).
Where did the fall of Richmond happen?
On the morning of Sunday April 2, 1865 Confederate lines near Petersburg broke after a nine month seige. The retreat of the army left the Confederate capital of Richmond, 25 miles to the north, defenseless.
What event led to the fall of Richmond?
At the Battle of Five Forks on April 1, 1865 Grant’s forces defeated the Confederates and ordered a general offensive forcing Lee to abandon the Petersburg trenches which necessitated the evacuation of Richmond. On April 2 the Confederate government abandoned Richmond.
How was Richmond destroyed?
By April 1865, the Confederate government realized the siege was almost over and abandoned the city lest they be captured. The retreating Confederates chose to burn military supplies rather than let them fall into Union hands; the resulting fire destroyed much of central Richmond.
What natural disaster is the most common in Virginia?
Flooding is probably the most common natural hazard in Virginia. Flooding can be caused not only by a hurricane, but also by a tropical storm, tropical depression, northeaster, or any other weather system that produces heavy rain.
Has Richmond Virginia ever had a hurricane?
Hazel produced a 79 mph wind gust in Richmond, making it the most powerful hurricane to cross central Virginia. To this day, it is still Richmond’s highest wind gust ever measured during a tropical event. This quick-moving storm left Virginia with $15 million worth of damage and 12 deaths.
Has a hurricane ever hit Richmond Virginia?
September 6-7, 1996 ** p. 290 Hurricane Fran gave Big Meadows, VA had the highest wind gust in the state at 71 mph and a rainfall storm total amount of 16.77 inches and Richmond, VA received only 2.1 inches.
Is Virginia safe from earthquakes?
Earthquakes in Virginia are rare in the Coastal Plain, but are not restricted to just one region. Two zones in Virginia are more susceptible to earthquakes than others, and can be identified by the rivers which follow those faults.
Is there a tectonic plate in Virginia?
Map of the tectonic plates. Virginia is located on the North American Plate (modified after Shedlock and Pakiser, 1995). Virginia is located near the center of the North American plate, far from a plate boundary, and thus experiences a much lower rate of seismicity than California.