Although I appreciate the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes in the west, it is precisely because they are so rare in the east that they make the news. Also, because of the geological makeup of the eastern coast, this smaller earthquake was felt over a much larger area than would have happened in the west. Last thing, because quakes are so rare here, few have earthquake insurance. Some churches in Virginia were condemned as structurally unsafe, and without insurance, they face a tough road ahead. So what might not be a big deal out west can cause a lot of trouble here.
Although I appreciate the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes in the west, it is precisely because they are so rare in the east that they make the news. Also, because of the geological makeup of the eastern coast, this smaller earthquake was felt over a much larger area than would have happened in the west. Last thing, because quakes are so rare here, few have earthquake insurance. Some churches in Virginia were condemned as structurally unsafe, and without insurance, they face a tough road ahead. So what might not be a big deal out west can cause a lot of trouble here.