Earthquake Felt at Jersey Shore

The United States Geological Survey has confirmed that an earthquake has hit Virginia.

The tremor measured a 5.9 on the Richter scale and could be felt along the Jersey Shore, with many witnesses reporting a brief period of shaking last less than a minute.

National media are reporting the effects of the quake were felt across the state, and as far away as New York City and into New England.

The quake registered a magnatude 5.9, upgraded from an origial report of 5.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, which tracks earthquakes. It was centered in Mineral, Virginia, southwest of Washington D.C., in the center of the state.

Residents in Bradley Beach exited their home and shared words of concern. Along the area's beachfront, reports of the quake being felt on beaches in Spring Lake and Manasquan have been received by Patch.

Dave Kircher, Coordinator of the Manasquan Office of Emergency Management, reported that the earthquake had little effect aside from slight shaking in the borough.

"The 911 switchboard lit up like a christmas tree," Kircher said, but noted no significant damage to buildings or infrastructure within the borough.

Belmar resident Marc Altenau, who was relaxing on the borough's beach when the tremors began, initially was not sure of what he was experiencing.

"I thought some kid was kicking my seat at the beach at first," he said.

The earthquake felt throughout the region today matches the largest earthquake ever recorded in Virginia. The last was in 1897 and located in Giles County, Virginia. It also registered a 5.9 magnatude, according to the geological survey.

According to Jersey Central Power and Light, fewer than 500 customers are without power in Spring Lake and Ocean Grove nearby, with no power outages reported in other area towns as of 3:00 p.m.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has reported that it is monitoring the situation, but the state seems to be free of any damage, by and large.

Reports indicate that cell phone service has been affected or disrupted due to high call volume. Officials are urging callers to please limit cell phone usage to necessary calls to free up networks and to dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Meteorologists from the Mount Holly office of the National Weather Service said no tsunami warnings have been triggered from the earthquake that occurred in Virginia Tuesday afternoon.

Mitchell Gaines, of the Mount Holly office, said no warnings have been triggered by the 5.9 magnitude quake centered inland Virginia around 1:50 p.m.

Gaines, however declined to say whether a tsunami warning could be in the offing.

"I cannot comment on that at this time,'' Gaines said. "We have not received any tsunami warnings at this time.''

According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, New Jersey ranks low on the list of states at risk for experiencing an earthquake.

Earthquake hazards are measured as the likelihood of experiencing earthquake shaking of various intensities, according to FEMA.

Northern New Jersey is put in a category that's low on the list and described as "having a hazard shaking of moderate intensity," which could be felt by all and could lead to slight damage.

Southern New Jersey is put in a category described as having "a small probability of experiencing damaging earth quake effects."

The USGS is asking anyone who felt the effects of this earthquake to please report it using this website.