Two Nuclear Reactors Taken Offline Due to Virginia Earthquake

0
By Fionna Agomuoh , Christian Post Contributor
August 23, 2011|3:25 pm

Reports from federal officials say that two nuclear reactors were taken offline due to the earthquake that hit Virginia Tuesday lunchtime.

The reactors, located at the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Virginia were taken offline automatically by safety systems at the time of the earthquake.

The power plant, operated by Dominion Virginia Power is currently being fueled by four emergency diesel generators, which is keeping important safety equipment online.

There have been no reports of damage of any nuclear power plants in the southeast, says Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Roger Hannah.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently investigating the situation to confirm that all plants are safe.

The USGS reported that the 5.9 quake was the largest to originate in Virginia since May 31, 1987. It also stated that the earthquake was centered at a depth of 4.6 miles.

Follow us

The Pentagon was evacuated as the 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.

Advertisement
Top Stories

Why Is the Pro-Life Message Winning and Traditional Marriage Losing?

Since Roe vs. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court ...

Nearly 14,000 US Churches Signed on for 'My Hope America with Billy Graham'

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association recently launched "Lose to Gain," its second half-hour video program installment of the My Hope America with Billy Graham campaign series. With less than five months remaining in the ...

Interview: Frank Page Speaks Candidly About Suicide, Loss of His Daughter

Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist ...

Evangelical Organizations Partner to Fight Bible Illiteracy Among Hispanics

The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and the American Bible Society have teamed up to fight Bible illiteracy among Hispanics by promoting September as Mes de la Biblia, the Month of the Bible.