Quake rocks US east coast

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the east coast of the United States today shaking much of Washington and sending people spilling into the streets near the White House.

Parts of the Pentagon, White House and Capitol were evacuated.

The quake, centred in the state of Virginia, was felt as far north as New York City and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, where President Barack Obama is on holiday.

The shaking was felt on the Martha’s Vineyard golf course as Mr Obama was just starting a round.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was half a mile deep.

Shaking was felt at the White House and all over the east coast, as far south as Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The quake was centred north-west of Richmond, the captial of Virginia, and south of Washington.

Mr Obama and many of the nation’s leaders were out of town on holiday when the quake struck at 1:51 pm local time.

The East Coast gets earthquakes, but usually smaller ones and is less prepared than California or Alaska for shaking.

At Reagan National Airport outside Washington, ceiling tiles fell during a few seconds of shaking. Authorities announced it was an earthquake and all flights were put on hold.