Nassau Court employees were evacuated after an earthquake shook buildings...

Nassau Court employees were evacuated after an earthquake shook buildings on Long Island. (Aug. 23, 2011) Credit: Howard Schnapp

An earthquake centered in Virginia rattled buildings up and down the East Coast Tuesday afternoon, sending office workers and residents around Long Island scurrying out of their buildings or diving for shelter.

Communities including Melville, Shirley and Dix Hills reported feeling the tremor, which came from an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Above: Nassau court employees were evacuated after an earthquake shook buildings.

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