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Quake Damaged Washington Monument, Natl. Cathedral

Both closed indefinitely after cracks found

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2011 1:40 AM CDT | Updated Aug 24, 2011 7:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Officials tallying up the damage from yesterday's shocking East Coast earthquake discovered hits on the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral. National Park Service workers found cracks near the top of the 91,000-ton marble monument, which has been closed indefinitely to protect the public, reports AP. Three of four spires of the National Cathedral were also damaged, and cracks were spotted in the facade. The church was evacuated and will remain closed while officials assess the damage.

A helicopter flies closely to the Washington Monument so engineers can survey its exterior for damage after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck yesterday.
A helicopter flies closely to the Washington Monument so engineers can survey its exterior for damage after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck yesterday.   (Getty Images)
Three of four spires of the National Cathedral were damaged in the quake.
Three of four spires of the National Cathedral were damaged in the quake.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
A damaged spire atop the National Cathedral is seen on August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC, following an earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia.
A damaged spire atop the National Cathedral is seen on August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC, following an earthquake in the neighboring state of Virginia.   (Getty Images)
A helicopter circles the Washington National Cathedral on August 23, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia. According to reports the church suffered minor damage to several spires.
A helicopter circles the Washington National Cathedral on August 23, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia. According to reports the church suffered minor damage to several spires.   (Getty Images)
A Parks Police helicopter inspects the Washington Monument on August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC, shortly after a 5.9 Richter earthquake struck iin the neighboring state of Virginia.
A Parks Police helicopter inspects the Washington Monument on August 23, 2011 in Washington, DC, shortly after a 5.9 Richter earthquake struck iin the neighboring state of Virginia.   (Getty Images)
A US Park Service helicopter flies between the Washington Monument and the Capitol on the National Mall in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011.
A US Park Service helicopter flies between the Washington Monument and the Capitol on the National Mall in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
robjm
Aug 24, 2011 8:32 AM CDT
Sure am glad they got the helicopter in every shot.
HarryBeaver
Aug 24, 2011 8:26 AM CDT
God is mad at the National Cathedral and also that giant phallic object
US

 
earthquake • Washington Monument • National Cathedral • East Coast earthquake

 
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