‘Earthquakes happen’: Va Tech professor provides insight after two quakes rattle Central Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Two earthquakes rattled portions of Central Virginia Tuesday and Wednesday.

A 2.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Glen Allen area Tuesday afternoon, and on Wednesday morning, Wyndham residents woke up to a 2.3-magnitude quake.

While it surprised many residents, Martin Chapman, a geophysics professor at Virginia Tech, said quakes like these happen at least once every year or two.

“That’s an area that we’ve known has had an above-average number of earthquakes along the eastern seaboard,” he said.

That’s why it’s called the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, which stretches from Charlottesville to Richmond.

“And sometimes they get to be fairly big, like the one in 2011,” he said.

In August 2011, a 5.8 earthquake rocked parts of Louisa County.

It left stores in disarray and schools damaged.

Before that, Martin said the largest quake to shake things up in the region was in 1875, with a magnitude of 5.0.

“These earthquakes happen. They’re like once in a lifetime or maybe two lifetimes,” he said.

While there’s no way to predict them, here’s what to remember when the ground shakes.

First, take cover under something sturdy.

“The strongest place in your house is probably under your door frame because of the hitter above the door,” he said.

Second, avoid running outside.

“That’s the worst thing you can do because things come falling off the walls, bricks and things like that. Sometimes chimneys snap off,” Martin said.

Lastly, emergency supplies should be ready.

“The power is going to go off. So you’re going to need some batteries and backup stuff like that on hand,” he said.

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