According to the U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred in Virginia on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 01:51:03 PM.

The epicenter of the quake was reported to be 37.975°N, 77.969°W, which is approximately 27 miles E of Charlottesville, 34 miles SW of Fredericksburg, 39 miles NW of Richmond and 50 miles NNE of Farmville, Virginia.

USGS data had previously listed Virginia's most powerful earthquake as a magnitude 4.8 event which occurred in 1875. Smaller earthquakes are felt each year or two in the region.