Emergency Reactor Shutdown

Central Virginia, USA, 23 pm Richter 5.8 earthquake, Washington, New York sense of significant earthquakes, the White House, Capitol and the Pentagon part of the emergency evacuation, the National Cathedral partially damaged buildings, nuclear power plants declared state of alert. This is Virginia since 1897, suffered from the highest magnitude earthquake, the U.S. East Coast to the strongest earthquake in 67 years. There were no deaths or serious injuries reported.

Earthquake magnitude 5.8

U.S. Geological Survey published on the website's latest information shows that the earthquake occurred in the U.S. Eastern Time at 13:51 on the 23rd, at the epicenter town of Mineral, Virginia, Washington, about 135 kilometers from the quake measured magnitude of the initial exploration Bureau Richter 5.9, focal depth of 1 km later revised to magnitude 5.8, focal depth of 6 km. Earthquake lasted about 20-30 seconds. U.S. capital of Washington, and New York, Boston, North Carolina and other places are clearly felt. From the epicenter about 900 km, Virginia and the surrounding areas of Toronto, Canada, also felt a strong vibration.

There were no casualties and property damage were reported. American Meteorological Department said the quake caused no tsunami.

Emergency reactor shutdown

North Anna Nuclear Power Plant from the epicenter, less than 24 km outside the factory after the earthquake, power loss, the two reactors automatically shut down, cooling the fuel rods by the diesel generators to maintain operations. State of alert declared nuclear power plants.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Luogehanna said after the earthquake, the emergency safety system start, the two reactors shut down automatically after the return to normal. Meanwhile, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, 12 nuclear power plants announced an "unusual event."

In addition, the Pentagon an earthquake caused water pipes burst. Located in downtown Washington, the top of Washington Monument, cracks had closed to visitors indefinitely. National Cathedral, said, suffered "considerable damage": the new Gothic church in central tower damaged, four spire angle of the three off; in eastern apse is the oldest church building, flying buttresses cracking.

Day of the earthquake did not have a significant impact on capital markets. Currently, the New York Stock Exchange continued the morning of the three major stock indexes rally, while gold futures decline narrowed.

Obama is not found

Earthquake, the U.S. President Barack Obama on vacation in Massachusetts Martha's Vineyard have felt. But the White House said that Obama was playing golf is not aware of the earthquake. White House statement, Obama later called Department of Homeland Security, national security adviser, and assistant principal officials and scientists to open the conference call. "The president was informed that now there is no airport, nuclear facilities and other infrastructure damage reports were apparent at this stage there is no request for assistance."