An earthquake of a 5.9 magnitude centered in Virginia rocked the mid-Atlantic states - sending an aftershock that could be felt as far north as Manhattan, New York, and even Toronto, Canada.

The Christian Post partners in Toronto, CTS TV, has confirmed that its staff also felt the shocks from the earthquake.

The Associated Press reported that the Pentagon was evacuated when the apparent earthquake rocked the Washington, D.C. area. Several other public buildings including the capitol have also been evacuated.

The quake happened nine miles from Mineral, Virginia, which is about 100 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Doug Kammerer, meteorologist with the NBC affiliate in Washington said the tremor was a "very big earthquake for our area."

The earthquake struck at about 1:15 p.m. and lasted around 30 to 45 seconds. There are no reported injuries or widespread damage.

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Fox News reported that JFK airport in NY has been shut down because of the earthquake.