An earthquake of a magnitude of 5.6 to 5.8 rocked the East Coast of the US on Tuesday shaking buildings and making people rush out of their houses in the states of Washington, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and North Colorado. Reports said the quake registered a magnitude of 5.3 on Richter scale in some states.

There are no immediate reports of loss of life though authorities believe lot of damage may have taken place to property as houses have collapsed in some of the quake-hit areas. Some people might have sustained injuries. In some states, buildings developed cracks.

Authorities evacuated people from some areas of the Capitol, White House and the Pentagon and the epicenter of the quake was traced to the city of Richmond in Virginia off 140 km from Washington.

The quake shook for 15 seconds in some of the areas and made people run out of their houses fearing for their lives.  The authorities warned people of the possibility of another strong earthquake hitting the East Coast areas again Tuesday night.

Almost a century ago, Colorado was hit by a powerful earthquake and the magnitude of the latest quake was recorded as 5.3 in Colorado.
President Mr. Obama, who is vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard, has reviewed the situation over a video conference and ordered rehabilitation measures on a war footing basis wherever necessary.