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Washington Monument On Firm Foundation, Even After Earthquake

By: Markette Smith // August 22, 2012
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The earthquake cracked portions of the Washington Monument, as well as displacing some limestone blocks.
National Park Service
The earthquake cracked portions of the Washington Monument, as well as displacing some limestone blocks.

A new report released on the eve of the one year anniversary of last summer's 5.8 magnitude earthquake reveals that the Washington Monument still stands on solid ground, even after suffering millions of dollars of damages after the August temblor.

A new report from the National Geodetic Survey finds that the landmark did not sink further into the ground. The earthquake damaged both the exterior and interior of the Monument. The heaviest damage occurred near the top, where large cracks and rubble called for its immediate closure.

A lead inspector on the project, Dave Doyle, says he's surprised by the results, because the Monument has sunk more than 2 inches in the past hundred years. He calls it a testament to the original engineers from the 1880s, who shored up its foundation on ground that was once underwater.

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