WASHINGTON – The earthquake that rocked D.C. in August continues to rumble aftershocks, and scientists say that indicates other areas on the East Coast are at risk of an earthquake more powerful than ever experienced.
There have been 1,400 aftershocks recorded since the Aug. 23, 2011 temblor that originated in Mineral, Va., about 100 miles southwest of the District, says Martin Chapman, associate professor of geophysics at Virginia Tech. It’s one of the most prolific aftershock sequences ever recorded in the United States.
That fact has continued to interest the scientific community, reports The Washington Post, which says the event is a warning of possible earthquakes to come.
“You certainly can’t rule that out. We’ve had earthquakes up to magnitude 7 in the past along the eastern seaboard of the United States,” Chapman says.
The 5.8 magnitude quake — which is still quaking — suggests that other seismic areas on the East Coast are vulnerable to an event that could be stronger, and cause more damage. It’s a fact that needs to be taken seriously and poses potential threat to other East Coast cities, such as Philadelphia, New York, Providence and Boston, reports the Post.
One problem that arises lies in public safety. In Washington, many were caught off-guard by the incident and weren’t sure how to react. Chapman says the public needs to be better informed of the risks and educated on how to react in the event.
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