U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed an earthquake struck central Virginia at 1:53 p.m 4 miles south southeast of Louisa, Virginia near Mineral, Va. It has been felt throughout the D.C. metro region and over a large part of the eastern U.S. Initial indications are that it measured 5.9 on the Richter scale.
Minutes after the quake, the director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Marcia McNutt -- who watched objects falling from the shelves in her office -- cautioned that the shaking might not be over.
"What the concern is, of course, is that this is a foreshock. If it"s a foreshock, then the worse is yet to come."
East Coast earthquake: 5.9 magnitude epicenter hits Virginia - BlogPost - The Washington Post