Earthquake near North Anna

[Dave Warren]

So, was there any damage to the plant or the surrounding area?
The news we are getting says 5.8 or 5.9 but no damage or injuries.
I am at Susquehanna and our table shook for 15 seconds or so.
Early reports said the epicenter was 4 miles from Mineral, Virginia.

[DJ@Retired]

I think North Anna is Closers by 40 miles

[Dave Warren]

Thanks, DJ, the correction has been made.

The latest:

Two reactors at the North Anna Station in Mineral, Virginia, tripped, the NRC said.

The plants lost off-site power, but diesel generators are operating, the spokesman said.

Dominion's two-unit Surry plant in Gravel, Virginia, continues to operate, the NRC said.

[Dave Warren]

Virginia earthquake triggers ‘unusual event’ at Susquehanna plant

Posted 8/23/2011 3:41:45 PM

A powerful earthquake felt throughout the mid-Atlantic region this afternoon (8/23) has not affected regular operation at PPL Corporation’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick.

Unit 1 of the plant continues to operate normally at full power. Unit 2 had previously shut down for maintenance and remains in safe, stable condition. PPL is delaying the return of Unit 2 to full power as a precautionary measure.

Experienced, well-trained plant employees are checking the plant from top to bottom for potential damage. No issues have been detected and no employee injuries have been reported.

“We are taking prudent steps to check the condition of our plant,” PPL spokesman Joe Scopelliti said. “The safety of our plant neighbors and employees is our primary concern.”

No public action is required and the situation poses no risk to plant neighbors.

PPL is in contact with local and regional emergency management agencies.

The seismic activity detected at the plant is well below levels the plant was designed to withstand.

PPL has declared an “unusual event” as a result of the earthquake. An unusual event is the lowest of four emergency classifications established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for nuclear power plants.

PPL has activated its Joint Information Center at the East Mountain Business Center just off Route 115, south of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The phone number is 570-831-6300.