What was the magnitude of the last earthquake to hit the East Coast?
2011 Virginia earthquake
5.8
On August 23, 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, at 1:51:04p.m. local time. The epicenter, in Louisa County, was 38mi (61km) northwest of Richmond and 5mi (8km) south-southwest of the town of Mineral. It was an intraplate earthquake with a maximum perceived intensity of VII (Very strong) on the Mercalli intensity scale. Several aftershocks, ranging up to 4.5 Mw in magnitude, occurred after the main tremor.