DC region marks 5 years since magnitude 5.8 quake

WASHINGTON – It’s been five years since a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the Washington region.

Tuesday marks five years since the quake in 2011, which was centred near Mineral, Virginia, or about 80 miles southwest of Washington.

No one died in the quake, but the tumbler did extensive damage to the Washington National Cathedral and the Washington Monument.

Repairs to the Washington Monument cost $15 million and kept the monument closed for nearly three years.

The quake caused $34 million in damage to the National Cathedral, and repairs are still being made. Head stone mason Joe Alonso says after five years only 13 per cent of the work has been completed. The cathedral still needs $22 million to finish the work. Workers expect to complete the repairs in 10 years.