Washington (CNN) -- An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck Tuesday near the nation's capital and sent shock waves up and down the East Coast.
"It's one of the largest that we've had there," said U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones. Aftershocks were a concern, she said. "People should be expecting (them), especially over the next hour or two," she added.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, and only minor damage to buildings was reported. "Currently, there have been no reports of damage to buildings, bridges, roads, power grids, the Indian Point nuclear power plant, or other infrastructure," New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement.
The quake, which struck at 1:51 p.m., was shallow -- just 3.7 miles deep -- and was located 83 miles southwest of Washington and 41miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia, the USGS said.
The FBI evacuated its buildings in Washington and New York, though they were returning to the 40-story New York facility by 3 p.m. At the Pentagon, police announced that anyone inside could "shelter in place" while security and emergency personnel checked the building for damage. But shortly thereafter, Pentagon workers were allowed to return to their offices.
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