Earthquake Felt in Nyack, Piermont; Epicenter Near Fredericksburg, VA

Nyackers felt the ground beneath their feet and the foundations of their homes shudder Tuesday afternoon at about 1:55 p.m. when an earthquake with an epicenter in Northern Virginia sent ripples through Rockland.

Geological officials are saying the quake had a 5.8 magnitude. In the metropolitan area—including Nyack—the feeling was tantamount to a 2.2, sources are reporting.

Nyackers on Burd Street rushed out of their homes and offices immediately after the quake to see if others felt the tremor.

"I was in my office when I felt everything shaking," said Anita Majyar, who works at 48 Burd St. "About 20 people ran outside, and car alarms were going off."

and the Nyack Fire Department were both out in full moments afterward, checking on residents and seeking out any possible damage. David Brockway, an officer with Orangetown Police, has been on the force for about five years—and has never responded to an earthquake in the area.

His surprise was echoed by Richard Kavesh, Nyack's Mayor. "Nyack is on really firm ground, you don't expect this," he said.

Clarkstown and Orange police said they have not received any immediate reports of damage or injuries. And at nearby nuclear facility Indian Point, officials are not reporting any problems.

At the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observation Center in Palisades, scientists are looking over data from the earthquake and determining if there will be others. "Aftershocks will happen," explained seismologist Meredith Nettles. "And it's not unheard of to have a second quake that's equal or greater than the first, but it's unlikely."

Up north, most fears of a nuclear disaster have been quelled.

"At Indian Point both plants are operating at full power and there were no issues caused by the earthquake," reports Indian Point spokesperson Jerry Nappi.

The earthquake was felt up and down the east coast, authorities are reporting, and as far north as Toronto.