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USGS: Second earthquake in one week in Virginia; this one stronger than first

Crystal Graham
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Residents of Stuarts Draft and Waynesboro were woken up in the middle of the night due to loud noise again. For the second time in a week, an earthquake was the cause.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey website, the 4:10 a.m. earthquake Sunday morning in Augusta County measured 2.4 magnitude and had a depth of 3.5 km.

The first earthquake occurred on Oct. 15 at 6:19 p.m. and registered as a 2.2 magnitude earthquake. Residents also reported several aftershocks following the first quake.

Small earthquakes are uncommon in Virginia as a whole. However, there have been roughly 100 earthquakes in the last 23 years throughout the state, according to the USGS. Most register under 3.0 magnitude.

However, Mineral, Va., has been the site of higher magnitude quakes with one registering 4.5 and one registering 5.8 in 2011.

In the last 10 years, smaller earthquakes have also been registered in Louisa, Deerfield, Forest and Verona.

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Unknown noise solved: USGS reports 2.2 magnitude earthquake in Virginia

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.