The unexpected 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Mineral, Va., on Aug. 23 led to numerous evacuations across Northern Virginia and beyond.

Even hours after the earthquake, many buildings remained closed until any damage could be assessed.

Both Northern Virginia and Germanna community colleges were also evacuated and closed for the day. Germanna remained closed until Aug. 30 due to structural damage.

At the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Robert Rose and girlfriend Olga Reed were visiting from Lambertville, N.J., with their children when the ground shook.

Nine-year-old Victoria Reed thought that one of the life-size airplanes hanging on display must have fallen. Her sister, Alexandra, 7, said it felt like being on top of a washing machine. Aside from Victoria, the Reeds and Roses thought it was just a special effect that the museum had, like part of a war-related display.

Then an employee or volunteer with a dead-serious face yelled, “We’ve got to evacuate. Everybody out!,” said Rose, a former active-duty U.S. Marine.

In addition to Reed’s daughters, Rose’s two sons, Robert Jr., 11, and Daniel, 5, accompanied them. All of the children said they were scared when they realized it was a real emergency and not a drill.

The museum was closed for the rest of the day as a precaution.

The earthquake that occurred in Virginia Aug. 23 caused portions of a building to crush this car in Vienna, Va. Photo by: Cal Slater

By: KJ Mushung

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