Virginia Aftershocks Continue to Shake Virginia
Residents in Virginia are still experiencing aftershocks from an earthquake the hit the area last August.
The United States Geological Survey reported that a magnitude 3.2 aftershock occurred at 6:39 p.m. Monday 10 miles south-southeast of Mineral which was where the epicenter of the Aug. 23 earthquake originated.
Local power officials stated in a report to federal regulators that the aftershock did not affect operations at the North Anna Nuclear Station. There was also no report of any structural damage while the plants two main reactors continue to operate a full power.
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Seismologists explained to local media outlets that aftershocks can continue for months after the initial earthquake.
The aftershocks struck a small town in Louisa County which is in central Virginia. The area is still trying to recovering from the earthquake which was the largest in Virginia in more than 100 years.
When asked if people can still feel the aftershocks Scott Keim, chief of the Louisa County fire and EMS department said, "people are absolutely feeling them…quite often they'll wake us up."
"I think that there's a fair amount of anxiety in the community," Keim said, "About when they will stop and how bad they'll get."
It is not necessary to live in or around Louisa County to experience the aftershocks. There are reports of people experiencing them in Northern Virginia and other parts of the Washington metropolitan area.
Officials are having a hard time determining if any of the aftershocks have caused any damage in addition to the original earthquake.
In Louisa County authorities are still gathering initial damage assessments from the Aug. 23 quake. According to reports building inspectors have come from all over the state to assist.
Keim explained that as of now there have been more than 600 reports of earthquake related damage. Keim said damage estimates have topped $17.5 million. That, he said, "Is a lot for a county of 35,000 people."
