Moderate Earthquake Strikes US Washington StateA moderate earthquake hit western part of Washington state U.S. early Sunday, jolting some residents awake but causing no apparent injuries or damage.The magnitude 5.0 quake, was centered about 30 miles west of Olympia, the state capital, and about 60 miles southwest of Seattle. Some residents said they were awakened by the shaking, which lasted a few seconds. The 6:19 a.m. quake was felt at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but no damage was reported, said airport spokesman Bob Parker. State crews checked bridges in the area and found no significant damage, said Melanie Moores of the state Department of Transportation. Bellini said Sunday's quake was not an aftershock of the 6.8-magnitude quake that shook the Northwest in February, causing at least $2 billion in damage. The quake was about 6 miles north of the epicenter of a 5.5-magnitude quake that damaged several buildings in July 1999, and was about 30 miles west of the February quake. |
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