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The Pentagon is being evacuated after an earthquake was felt in the Washington, D.C., area.

The USGS said a preliminary magnitude 5.9 earthquake was centered near Mineral, Va.

The quake was also felt in New York City and North Carolina.

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In a report filed in November 2008, The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency warned that a serious earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone could result in "the highest economic losses due to a natural disaster in the United States," further predicting "widespread and catastrophic" damage across Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and particularly Tennessee, where a 7.7 magnitude quake or greater would cause damage to tens of thousands of structures affecting water distribution, transportation systems, and other vital infrastructure. The earthquake is expected to also result in many thousands of fatalities, with more than 4,000 of the fatalities expected in Memphis alone.

According to some scientists, however, that is nothing compared to what an 8.0 earthquake could do to the New Madrid Region. An earthquake of that size on the New Madrid Fault would destroy 60 percent of Memphis, killing tens of thousands and causing over $50 billion dollars in property damage in the city alone. Wiki

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Best Tweets About East Coast Quake:

"There was a 5.8 earthquake in Washington. Obama wanted it to be a 3.4, but the Republicans wanted 5.8, so he compromised."

"Like any savvy super-villain in a time of distress, Ghadafi unleashed his earthquake machine."

"Earthquake made me spill my tea! I'm available for interviews."

"Hurricane Irene has a posse."

"Earthquakes are caused by shifting tectonic plates, cups, and silverware."

"Just like New Yorkers to feel an earthquake from another state and act like it was centered in NY."

"And this is why Presidents shouldn't take vacations" #seewhathappens (duplicative, admittedly, but THIS was a JOKE!)

Just for Raptor: "DEVELOPING: Darrell Issa launches inquiry into why Obama didn't prevent the #earthquake"

"Aren't animals supposed to do cool pre-earthquake tricks like walk around on their hind legs or smoke cigarettes? My dog did NOTHING!"

"Sorry East Coast! Drunk Hulk"

"Bachmann out first with statement: as President she’ll lower quakes to 2.9...”

"my etch-a-sketch gallery! It's RUINED!"

"SORRY LIBYAN REBELS, THE GROUND OVER HERE SHOOK FOR LIKE 15 SECONDS. GOOD LUCK W/ EVERYTHING, WE DON'T CARE ANYMORE."

"Earthquake in D.C. Don't panic. A Super Committee will be formed at some point to possibly decide what to do."

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East Coast Americans were mocked by their West Coast compatriots for making such a fuss about the type of earthquake that they have to deal with frequently.

While Tuesday's earthquake was the largest on the East Coast since 1944, California alone has seen 35 quakes of that size since then.

The Los Angeles Times ran an article headlined "NY feels quake on a different scale!" "Local TV news had wall-to-wall coverage, but little to report," said the author, Steve Lopez. "I kept hoping some more interesting news would break, like a car chase."

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East coasters snapped back, “Hey, West Coasters mocking the EastCoast Quake: We'll remember this when an inch of snow paralyzes your city.”

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Fortunately the East Coast was able to laugh also, with hundreds checking in to Earthquakepocalypse on Foursquare.

Viral images quickly began to circulate demonstrating "earthquake devastation" - such as television remote controls tumbling from tables to the floor, and tins of food being dislodged from supermarket shelves - with mocking captions. Images of the Washington Monument also went viral after rumours began circulating that the earthquake had left it tilted.

Many virals began parodying the earthquake with natural disaster film posters.

One "never forget" graphic, in the style of those created after terrorist attacks or natural disasters, pictured a bald eagle, the Stars and Stripes, and a piece of garden furniture that had been tipped over.

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