Washington, August 24: An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale has struck the United States’ east coast and Canada, shutting down two nuclear reactors in Louisiana, shaking many cities and delaying flights.
Safety systems automatically shut down two nuclear reactors at the North Anna Power Station in Louisiana when the earthquake happened, said Roger Hannah, a spokesman for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Associated Press reported.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake happened at a very shallow depth of 800 meters (about half a mile) and centered about 64 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of Richmond, Virginia, at 1:51 p.m. EDT (1751 GMT).
The White House, Pentagon and the US Capitol were evacuated.
In New York City and New Jersey, the control towers at the John F. Kennedy Airport and the Newark Liberty Airport were evacuated and the flights were put on hold.
At present, US President Barack Obama and many of the government officials are vacationing on the Martha’s Vineyard golf course.
There have been no immediate reports of the possible casualties or serious damages.
The quake was also felt in Toronto, Canada.
——Agencies