Yes, It Was an Earthquake

[Updated below]

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake centered near Louisa, Va., sent tremors through the Malvern area Tuesday afternoon. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at 1:51 p.m.

The "poorly constrained" quake lasted only a matter of seconds—reports range from 5 seconds up to 30.

[Update 2:50 p.m.] Police Departments in East Whiteland, Willistown and Malvern all confirm they received no damage reports since the earthquake. Many residents did call in to ask about the shaking.

What did it feel like?

Jill Richards of Grubb Road wrote via Facebook:

Knocked my daughter off of the couch! All of our cabinets flew open!

John Lenker of Crestside Way in Malvern Borough wrote via Facebook:

Felt the concrete porch wiggling

Danielle Haugh of Long Lane in Willistown e-mailed:

The kids were taking a nap when the house started shaking and then a few things fell off a book shelf. Needless to say nap time is over but so glad everyone is ok and just a few tremors.

@CroatanOBX, a retired GVSD teacher, tweeted:

I thought something was happening to the house. The whole thing shook.

Charlestown resident and Patch blogger @ReginaFried tweeted:

Felt it here -- it's up and down the East Coast. Supposedly epicenter is Richmond. Tweeps saying all the way up to CT!

East Whiteland resident @GeneInMalvern tweeted:

Having lunch at KOP mall. Tables and chairs shook for several seconds. Pretty cool!

[Edited 5pm to reflect the USGS downgrade of the quake's magnitude from 5.9 to 5.8.]