NASA Evacuates during East Coast Quake

While NASA often sets its sights on the heavens, the space agency is still affected by events here on terra firma — like yesterday's East Coast earthquake.

The 5.8-magnitude temblor — the biggest quake in the region in more than 100 years — struck near the small Virginia town of Mineral yesterday morning (Aug. 23). It then radiated outward, shaking the ground in dozens of states.

Several nearby NASA research and administration centers felt the jolt.

NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C., for example, was evacuated briefly yesterday, agency officials said.

[Infographic: Earthquake Shakes Northeastern US]