Montgomery County earthquake hits DC (and it's not Vovak defeating Leggett YET)

WASHINGTON — The largest earthquake ever recorded within 30 miles of Washington, D.C., rattled the capital early Friday, waking many residents but causing no reported damage. The quake hit at 5:04 a.m. ET with a magnitude of 3.6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was centered near Rockville, Md., the USGS National Earthquake Information Center said. NBC News reported that the quake was felt in the D.C.-area, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Amy Vaughn, a spokesperson for USGS, told WRC-TV that the quake was the largest recorded within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of Washington since a database was created in 1974. The previous record within that time period was a 2.6 magnitude temblor in 1990. SOURCE: MSNBC

Daniel Vovak, a candidate against Ike Leggett in the Montgomery County Executive contest said a similar earthquake is inevitable if Montgomery County Democrats and Republicans join together to oust tax-loving Ike Leggett in November.

Confident of victory, Vovak says, "Yes, I awoke in the night and thought I had defeated Leggett, and no, it wasn't a dream either, but an earthquake. Similar to Connie Morella, I'm a Republican who has cross-party appeal and who will be fair as I control costs, eliminate the speed cameras, and begin comprehensive school reform."

Vovak's campaign website is VoteVovak.com



The following stats are from the USGS:

Magnitude 3.6
Date-Time

* Friday, July 16, 2010 at 09:04:47 UTC
* Friday, July 16, 2010 at 05:04:47 AM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 39.167°N, 77.252°W
Depth 5 km (3.1 miles) set by location program
Region POTOMAC-SHENANDOAH REGION
Distances 15 km (10 miles) NW of Rockville, Maryland
30 km (15 miles) ENE of Leesburg, Virginia
35 km (20 miles) NW of WASHINGTON, D.C.
70 km (45 miles) WNW of ANNAPOLIS, Maryland
Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 13.3 km (8.3 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters NST= 15, Nph= 15, Dmin=44.7 km, Rmss=1.49 sec, Gp=133°, M-type=”Nuttli” surface wave magnitude (mbLg), Version=6 Source

* USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Event ID us2010yua6
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

This mornings earthquake is the largest ever recorded withing a 30 mile radius of Washington. Maybe our politicians are getting a wake-up call they can’t ignore! Oh wait—actually they can. Before the day is over, I’m certain someone, somewhere, will be able to blame G.W. Bush for this 3.6 magnitude DC earthquake. Thankfully, this was just a minor temblor and shouldn’t interfere in anyone’s plans to vacation in Maine this weekend. If you have any thoughts on ‘D.C. Earthquake: 3.6 Magnitude Quake Rattles Washington Area’ please leave them in the comment section.

If you have any theories why an earthquake would strike the DC area, leave those, too. This could be interesting. I’m thinking it’s a prelude to the coming November shock!