Earthquake hits US east coast as Irene approaches

Airlines with transatlantic services have restored schedules after a rare 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit the US east coast.

Flights from New York's John F Kennedy and Newark airports were delayed while authorities checked for damage from the quake. Services at Reagan National Airport in Washington DC were also put on hold. Normal services resumed shortly after the quake at 1.51 pm local time. 

Transportation systems could face further disruption as Hurricane Irene heads towards the region after blasting through the Caribbean, forcing cruise lines to alter their itineraries. The FCO has warned that the storm “has the potential to affect a large area of the east coast from South Carolina to New Hampshire from Friday”.

The east coast quake was centred on Virginia but was felt in the capital as well as New York. Reports said the tremor was felt as far north as Boston, in North and South Carolina in the south, and as far west as Indianapolis and Detroit.

Three aftershocks were recorded, according to the US Geological Society. The Amtrak passenger train network slowed its trains in its busy north-eastern routes, and advised passengers to expect delays.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “There are no reported casualties but there has been minor damage to buildings and sporadic disruption to telephone services. Transportation networks have been affected whilst infrastructure checks are undertaken.”

• Virginia quake details (US Geological Survey)