The East Coast quake affecting Virginia and felt as far away as Toronto and New York is the largest in that area since 1944, reports the Associated Press.
The 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered near Mineral, Va. released as much energy as nearly eight tons of TNT, about half the size of the atomic bombed in Hiroshima in August 1945, Associated Press added.
Although the scale of the earthquake had shocked many residents in parts of the East Coast, the earthquake was smaller than some of the more damaging earthquakes this year in New Zealand and in Japan.
The quake caused some damage to buildings in the Washington, D.C. area, including the National Cathedral, Los Angeles Times reports.
The Times reported that three out of the four pinnacles in the Cathedral’s “Gloria in Excelsis” tower suffered damage and three finials snapped off. The Cathedral is closed at this time while authorities check out the scene.
"We are thankful that no injuries have occurred," Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III told the media, "Our prayers go out now for all those up and down the East Coast who have been similarly affected by this rare event."
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, with the sound of alarms and the sight of flashing lights, staffers were ordered to evacuate the buildings.
