Earthquake Shakes Scott County


Published by the Scott County Virginia Star on Friday, August 14, 2009.

From staff reports


An earthquake measuring between 2.5 and 2.9 on the Richter Scale was reported shortly before 10 a.m. this morning near Nickelsville in the eastern portion of Scott County.

According to the Scott County E-911 Office, Dr. Martin Chapman from the Geosciences Department at Virginia Tech reported the event occurred at 9:48 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.

The first of several calls were received at the 911 office starting around 9:55 a.m. with local residents describing a loud boom with structures shaking and windows rattling. Around 10 persons called to report the incident.

Paul Caruso, of the United States Geological Survey, located in Golden, Colo., reported the earthquake centered 2 miles east-northeast of Nickelsville and measured 2.5 on the Richter Scale at a depth of 5 km.

Dr. Chapman’s report puts the quake on the Richter scale at 2.9 and centered .25 miles from the Russell-Scott line near Little Duck Road.

No damage has been reported so far.

Additional information will be updated as it becomes available.