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Today in History: Virginia earthquake shakes record number of people

8/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On August 23, 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Virginia's Piedmont region at 1:51 p.m. EDT. The epicenter was located in Louisa County, 38 miles northwest of Richmond. This intraplate earthquake, with a maximum intensity of VIII on the Mercalli scale, was felt by more people than any other quake in U.S. history, triggering several aftershocks.

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Story summary

On August 23, 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Virginia's Piedmont region at 1:51 p.m. EDT. The epicenter was located in Louisa County, 38 miles northwest of Richmond. This intraplate earthquake, with a maximum intensity of VIII on the Mercalli scale, was felt by more people than any other quake in U.S. history, triggering several aftershocks.