Photos: 5 years ago, Va. earthquake rocked East Coast

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  A driver climbs out of his cars to survey a traffic jam on 14th Street NW near the Ronald Reagan Building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, United States. The quake, centered near Miner, Virginia, rattled states from Maine to North Carolina but produced no serious injuries or damage.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A driver climbs out of his cars to survey a traffic jam on 14th Street NW near the Ronald Reagan Building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, United States. The quake, centered near Mineral, Virginia, rattled states from Maine to North Carolina but produced no serious injuries or damage. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
One of the spires , left, of the National Cathedral is seen missing following an earthquake in the Washington, Tuesday, Aug., 23, 2011. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
One of the spires , left, of the National Cathedral is seen missing following an earthquake in the Washington, Tuesday, Aug., 23, 2011. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
In this Aug. 24, 2011, file photo, damage to the Washington National Cathedral is seen the day after a earthquake shook Washington and much of the East Coast. The unexpected jolt cracked the Washington Monument in spots and toppled delicate masonry high atop the National Cathedral. The shaking was felt far along the densely populated Eastern seaboard from Georgia to New England. While West Coast earthquake veterans scoffed at what they viewed as only a moderate temblor, last year’s quake has forever changed the way officials along the East Coast view emergency preparedness. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 23:  Damage from the 5.8 earthquake that struck early afternoon and whose epicenter is located nearby is shown August 23, 2011 in the small town of Mineral, Viriginia. The quake resulted in scattered damage and frayed nerves for residents, but no reported injuries.  (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images)
Damage from the 5.8 earthquake that struck early afternoon and whose epicenter is located nearby is shown August 23, 2011 in the small town of Mineral, Viriginia. The quake resulted in scattered damage and frayed nerves for residents, but no reported injuries. (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images)
CUCKOO, VA - AUGUST 23:  An historic home belonging to Jane and Percy Wootton is shown damaged by the early afternoon 5.8 earthquake whose epicenter was located nearby August 23, 2011 in Cockoo, Virginia. The quake resulted in scattered damage and frayed nerves for residents, but no reported injuries.  (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images) (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images)
An historic home belonging to Jane and Percy Wootton is shown damaged by the early afternoon 5.8 earthquake whose epicenter was located nearby August 23, 2011 in Cockoo, Virginia. The quake resulted in scattered damage and frayed nerves for residents, but no reported injuries. (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images)
Office workers gather on the sidewalk in downtown Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, moments after a 5.9 magnitude tremor shook the nation's capitol. The earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Office workers gather on the sidewalk in downtown Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, moments after a 5.8 magnitude tremor shook the nation’s capitol. The earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
People crowd Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as they evacuate buildings after an earthquake his the in Washington area. The 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
People crowd Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as they evacuate buildings after an earthquake his the in Washington area. The 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Children are evacuated from the Jacob K. Javits Federal building in New York on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011 after an earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va. was felt. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Children are evacuated from the Jacob K. Javits Federal building in New York on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011 after an earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va. was felt. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23:  Suzanne Beatty comforts her son Quentin Beatty, 7, on a street in TriBeCa after a 5.8  earthquake struck on August 23, 2011 in New York, United States. The epicenter of the 5.8  earthquake was located near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
Suzanne Beatty comforts her son Quentin Beatty, 7, on a street in TriBeCa after a 5.8 earthquake struck on August 23, 2011 in New York, United States. The epicenter of the 5.8 earthquake was located near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: A news ticker in Times Square comments on an earlier earthquake on August 23, 2011 in New York City.  The epicenter of the 5.8 earthquake was located near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline.  (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
A news ticker in Times Square comments on an earlier earthquake on August 23, 2011 in New York City. The epicenter of the 5.8 earthquake was located near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Cracks appear on the facade of a building on Market Street in downtown Philadelphia following an earthquake along the East Coast Tuesday Aug. 23, 2011.  A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments in Washington and rattled nerves from the southern state of Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island in the northeast where President Barack Obama is vacationing.  (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
Cracks appear on the facade of a building on Market Street in downtown Philadelphia following an earthquake along the East Coast Tuesday Aug. 23, 2011. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments in Washington and rattled nerves from the southern state of Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island in the northeast where President Barack Obama is vacationing. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
The Government Accountability Office will study helicopter noise in the national capital region, at the request of local lawmakers. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A helicopter flies closely to the Washington Monument to survey its exterior for damage after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. Police officers said that unidentified material had fallen off the Washington Monument as a result of the earthquake. All the monuments and buildings along the National Mall have been evacuated and closed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  U.S. Park Police work to keep people away from the area surrounding the Washington Monument after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. Police officers said that unidentified material had fallen off the Washington Monument as a result of the earthquake. All the monuments and buildings along the National Mall have been evacuated and closed.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
U.S. Park Police work to keep people away from the area surrounding the Washington Monument after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. Police officers said that unidentified material had fallen off the Washington Monument as a result of the earthquake. All the monuments and buildings along the National Mall have been evacuated and closed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Security keeps people from entering the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after it was evacuated following an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Security keeps people from entering the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after it was evacuated following an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Passengers crowd the platform of a commuter train as they wait for it to arrive at Union Station in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Passengers crowd the platform of a commuter train as they wait for it to arrive at Union Station in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  Drivers climb out of their cars to survey a traffic jam on 14th Street NW near the Ronald Reagan Building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, United States. The quake, centered near Miner, Virginia, rattled states from Maine to North Carolina but produced no serious injuries or damage.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Drivers climb out of their cars to survey a traffic jam on 14th Street NW near the Ronald Reagan Building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, United States. The quake, centered near Miner, Virginia, rattled states from Maine to North Carolina but produced no serious injuries or damage. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  People try to communicate on their cell phones after being evacuated from their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
People try to communicate on their cell phones after being evacuated from their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  Staff and employees from the Australian Embassy to the United States rally around a designated point outside their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. The epicenter was located in near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Staff and employees from the Australian Embassy to the United States rally around a designated point outside their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. The epicenter was located in near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  People try to communicate with their cell phones after being evacuated from their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. The epicenter was located in near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
People try to communicate with their cell phones after being evacuated from their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. The epicenter was located in near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Ronald Reagan National Airport Police stop travelers from entering Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as authorities checked for damage after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Ronald Reagan National Airport Police stop travelers from entering Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as authorities checked for damage after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
An employee of Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport stands in an empty Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
An employee of Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport stands in an empty Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Ronald Reagan National Airport Police stop travelers from entering Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as the airport's fire department checks for damage after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Ronald Reagan National Airport Police stop travelers from entering Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as the airport’s fire department checks for damage after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Passengers crowd the platform of a commuter train as they wait for it to arrive at Union Station in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23,2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Passengers crowd the platform of a commuter train as they wait for it to arrive at Union Station in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23,2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
People use the stairs to evacuate a building in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, after an earthquake hit the Washington area. The 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
People use the stairs to evacuate a building in Washington after an earthquake hit the Washington area. The 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Tony Williams surveys damage at his Mineral, Va. home after an earthquake struck Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. Items in his home were knocked over and displaced, and the home suffered some structural damage after the most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years shook buildings and rattled nerves from South Carolina to New England. The quake was centered near Mineral, a small town northwest of Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Tony Williams surveys damage at his Mineral, Va. home after an earthquake struck Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. Items in his home were knocked over and displaced, and the home suffered some structural damage after the most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years shook buildings and rattled nerves from South Carolina to New England. The quake was centered near Mineral, a small town northwest of Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Store owner B. J. Singh, replaces bottles on shelves Miller's Mart food store in Mineral, Va., a small town northwest of Richmond near the epicenter of an earthquake that struck Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. The most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years shook buildings and rattled nerves from South Carolina to Maine. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Store owner B. J. Singh, replaces bottles on shelves Miller’s Mart food store in Mineral, Va., a small town northwest of Richmond near the epicenter of an earthquake that struck Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. The most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years shook buildings and rattled nerves from South Carolina to Maine. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24:  Morgan Nolan (C) joins other volunteers as they help to restock the shelves at Millers Market after the store was damaged by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Morgan Nolan (C) joins other volunteers as they help to restock the shelves at Millers Market after the store was damaged by the Aug. 23 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast’s largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
FILE - This Aug. 24, 2011 file photo shows steam in vented from secondary cooling systems at the North Anna Nuclear power plant in Mineral, Va. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 that Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna Power Station, the first operating U.S. nuclear plant shut down because of an earthquake, can restart after being offline since the Aug. 23 tremor that shook millions along the East Coast.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
This Aug. 24, 2011 file photo shows steam in vented from secondary cooling systems at the North Anna Nuclear power plant in Mineral, Va. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 that Dominion Virginia Power’s North Anna Power Station, the first operating U.S. nuclear plant shut down because of an earthquake, can restart after being offline since the Aug. 23 tremor that shook millions along the East Coast. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24: A faded picture of Jesus hangs behind a window of a storefront shattered by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
This Aug. 24, 2011 file photo shows a window of a storefront shattered by the Aug. 23 earthquake in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast’s largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24:  A sign on the door lets visitors know that City Hall, which shares a building with the local DMV office, was closed after the building was damged by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
A sign on the door lets visitors know that City Hall, which shares a building with the local DMV office, was closed after the building was damaged by yesterday’s 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast’s largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24:  Workers begin repairs on the City Hall building, which is also the local DMV office, after the building was damged by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Workers begin repairs on the City Hall building, which is also the local DMV office, after the building was damaged by yesterday’s 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast’s largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Ted Tuz, a Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation contractor with Pickering, Corts, and Summerson, Inc., inspects an Interstate 95 overpass Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, in Philadelphia. Inspectors across the state are making spot checks on bridges, roads, dams and more in the aftermath of tremors from the 5.8 magnitude quake that was centered in Virginia.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Ted Tuz, a Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation contractor with Pickering, Corts, and Summerson, Inc., inspects an Interstate 95 overpass Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, in Philadelphia. Inspectors across the state are making spot checks on bridges, roads, dams and more in the aftermath of tremors from the 5.8 magnitude quake that was centered in Virginia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A demolition machine begins the demolition of the Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012.  The school was damaged beyond repair during the earthquake last year. ( AP Photo/Steve Helber)
A demolition machine begins the demolition of the Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. The school was damaged beyond repair during the earthquake last year. ( AP Photo/Steve Helber)
FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2011 file photo, engineers inspect the exterior of the Washington Monument for damage caused by an Aug. 23 earthquake in Washington. Researchers in a nationwide study of earthquakes will soon place new instruments in Georgia and other eastern states as they seek to learn more about what causes them and where they might strike. Scientists involved in the study say the recent earthquake in Virginia, which cracked the Washington Monument, has led to a renewed emphasis on trying to understand more about what lies below the Earth's surface in eastern states. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsvais, File)
In this Sept. 28, 2011 file photo, engineers inspect the exterior of the Washington Monument for damage caused by an Aug. 23 earthquake in Washington. Researchers in a nationwide study of earthquakes will soon place new instruments in Georgia and other eastern states as they seek to learn more about what causes them and where they might strike. Scientists involved in the study say the recent earthquake in Virginia, which cracked the Washington Monument, has led to a renewed emphasis on trying to understand more about what lies below the Earth’s surface in eastern states. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsvais, File)
Students participate in an earthquake drill at the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa, Va., Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. The school is undergoing repairs from last years earthquake. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Students participate in an earthquake drill at the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa, Va., Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. The school is undergoing repairs from last year’s earthquake. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
WTOP’s Neal Augenstein recounted his experience in the earthquake on Tuesday, with some unwitting help from Storm Team 4 meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  A driver climbs out of his cars to survey a traffic jam on 14th Street NW near the Ronald Reagan Building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, United States. The quake, centered near Miner, Virginia, rattled states from Maine to North Carolina but produced no serious injuries or damage.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
One of the spires , left, of the National Cathedral is seen missing following an earthquake in the Washington, Tuesday, Aug., 23, 2011. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 23:  Damage from the 5.8 earthquake that struck early afternoon and whose epicenter is located nearby is shown August 23, 2011 in the small town of Mineral, Viriginia. The quake resulted in scattered damage and frayed nerves for residents, but no reported injuries.  (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images)
CUCKOO, VA - AUGUST 23:  An historic home belonging to Jane and Percy Wootton is shown damaged by the early afternoon 5.8 earthquake whose epicenter was located nearby August 23, 2011 in Cockoo, Virginia. The quake resulted in scattered damage and frayed nerves for residents, but no reported injuries.  (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images) (Photo by Tom Whitmore/Getty Images)
Office workers gather on the sidewalk in downtown Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, moments after a 5.9 magnitude tremor shook the nation's capitol. The earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
People crowd Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as they evacuate buildings after an earthquake his the in Washington area. The 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Children are evacuated from the Jacob K. Javits Federal building in New York on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011 after an earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va. was felt. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23:  Suzanne Beatty comforts her son Quentin Beatty, 7, on a street in TriBeCa after a 5.8  earthquake struck on August 23, 2011 in New York, United States. The epicenter of the 5.8  earthquake was located near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: A news ticker in Times Square comments on an earlier earthquake on August 23, 2011 in New York City.  The epicenter of the 5.8 earthquake was located near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline.  (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Cracks appear on the facade of a building on Market Street in downtown Philadelphia following an earthquake along the East Coast Tuesday Aug. 23, 2011.  A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments in Washington and rattled nerves from the southern state of Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island in the northeast where President Barack Obama is vacationing.  (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
The Government Accountability Office will study helicopter noise in the national capital region, at the request of local lawmakers. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  U.S. Park Police work to keep people away from the area surrounding the Washington Monument after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. Police officers said that unidentified material had fallen off the Washington Monument as a result of the earthquake. All the monuments and buildings along the National Mall have been evacuated and closed.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Security keeps people from entering the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after it was evacuated following an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Passengers crowd the platform of a commuter train as they wait for it to arrive at Union Station in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  Drivers climb out of their cars to survey a traffic jam on 14th Street NW near the Ronald Reagan Building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, United States. The quake, centered near Miner, Virginia, rattled states from Maine to North Carolina but produced no serious injuries or damage.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  People try to communicate on their cell phones after being evacuated from their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  Staff and employees from the Australian Embassy to the United States rally around a designated point outside their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the East Coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. The epicenter was located in near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23:  People try to communicate with their cell phones after being evacuated from their building after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC. The epicenter was located in near Louisa in central Virginia. Two nuclear power plants at the North Anna Power Station in the same county were reportedly taken offline. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Ronald Reagan National Airport Police stop travelers from entering Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as authorities checked for damage after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
An employee of Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport stands in an empty Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Ronald Reagan National Airport Police stop travelers from entering Terminal A, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, as the airport's fire department checks for damage after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Passengers crowd the platform of a commuter train as they wait for it to arrive at Union Station in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23,2011, after an earthquake in the Washington area. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia forced evacuations of all the monuments on the National Mall in Washington and rattled nerves from Georgia to Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where President Barack Obama is vacationing. No injuries were immediately reported.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
People use the stairs to evacuate a building in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, after an earthquake hit the Washington area. The 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Tony Williams surveys damage at his Mineral, Va. home after an earthquake struck Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. Items in his home were knocked over and displaced, and the home suffered some structural damage after the most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years shook buildings and rattled nerves from South Carolina to New England. The quake was centered near Mineral, a small town northwest of Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Store owner B. J. Singh, replaces bottles on shelves Miller's Mart food store in Mineral, Va., a small town northwest of Richmond near the epicenter of an earthquake that struck Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. The most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years shook buildings and rattled nerves from South Carolina to Maine. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24:  Morgan Nolan (C) joins other volunteers as they help to restock the shelves at Millers Market after the store was damaged by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
FILE - This Aug. 24, 2011 file photo shows steam in vented from secondary cooling systems at the North Anna Nuclear power plant in Mineral, Va. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 that Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna Power Station, the first operating U.S. nuclear plant shut down because of an earthquake, can restart after being offline since the Aug. 23 tremor that shook millions along the East Coast.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24: A faded picture of Jesus hangs behind a window of a storefront shattered by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24:  A sign on the door lets visitors know that City Hall, which shares a building with the local DMV office, was closed after the building was damged by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
MINERAL, VA - AUGUST 24:  Workers begin repairs on the City Hall building, which is also the local DMV office, after the building was damged by yesterday's 5.8 earthquake August 24, 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. The epicenter of the quake, the East Coast's largest since 1944, was located a few miles outside of Mineral, a town of 430 people located about 50 miles west of Richmond.  (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Ted Tuz, a Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation contractor with Pickering, Corts, and Summerson, Inc., inspects an Interstate 95 overpass Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, in Philadelphia. Inspectors across the state are making spot checks on bridges, roads, dams and more in the aftermath of tremors from the 5.8 magnitude quake that was centered in Virginia.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A demolition machine begins the demolition of the Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012.  The school was damaged beyond repair during the earthquake last year. ( AP Photo/Steve Helber)
FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2011 file photo, engineers inspect the exterior of the Washington Monument for damage caused by an Aug. 23 earthquake in Washington. Researchers in a nationwide study of earthquakes will soon place new instruments in Georgia and other eastern states as they seek to learn more about what causes them and where they might strike. Scientists involved in the study say the recent earthquake in Virginia, which cracked the Washington Monument, has led to a renewed emphasis on trying to understand more about what lies below the Earth's surface in eastern states. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsvais, File)
Students participate in an earthquake drill at the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa, Va., Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. The school is undergoing repairs from last years earthquake. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

WASHINGTON — Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that was centered in Mineral, Virginia, and shook the entire East Coast.

The 2011 earthquake — coming from an area not known for major seismic activity — could be felt as far north as Canada and as far south as Georgia. Although no one died in the quake, the tremors brought extensive damage to two of the area’s most iconic landmarks — the Washington National Cathedral and the Washington Monument, with repair costs in the millions.

Heavy pieces of stone shifted on the 555-foot Washington Monument. Crews on ropes inspected the damage and found that mortar between the stones had fallen out. In some cases, if you were inside the monument, you could see sunlight shining through from outside. The monument closed for repairs and reopened in 2014.

“The stone and masonry repairs necessitated by the earthquake were completed prior to reopening in May 2014 and structurally the Washington Monument is sound,” said Mike Litterst, public affairs officer with the National Park Service. “We believe, however, that the effects of the earthquake, including moisture seeping in through cracks, may have had a greater impact on the elevator system than originally believed and may be at least partially responsible for the earlier than anticipated replacement of the control system, currently underway,” Litterst said.

At the National Cathedral, mortar fell out from between the carved stones; the ceiling cracked; some heavy sculpted pieces on the outside of the cathedral fell to the ground. One of the spires broke off.

The cost of the damage to the cathedral was estimated at $34 million; the cathedral has remained open during the stabilization process, as it tries to raise money to complete the repairs.

“Twelve million dollars in quake repairs have been made to date; there’s $22 million to go,” said Kevin Eckstrom, chief communications officer with the Washington National Cathedral.

Eckstrom said the next phase of work is rebuilding two pinnacles atop the twin west towers on the front of the cathedral, requiring a half-million dollars.

“At the current pace, it will take us a decade or more to finish the work,” said Eckstrom. “If someone handed us a check for $22 million tomorrow, we could probably get the entire work done in about three years.”

At the time of the earthquake, which struck shortly before 2 p.m. on a workday, the Smithsonian National Zoo reported that several animals had reacted before the tremors. Dominion Virginia Power’s North Anna Power Station, near Mineral, shut down its two nuclear reactors automatically when the quake happened and took several months to restart them.

Where were you when the earthquake hit? Tweet us your reminiscences @WTOP or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Teta Alim

Teta Alim is a Digital Editor at WTOP. Teta's interest in journalism started in music and moved to digital media.

Neal Augenstein

Neal Augenstein has been a general assignment reporter with WTOP since 1997. He says he looks forward to coming to work every day, even though that means waking up at 3:30 a.m.

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