U.S. East Coast was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 5.8 on Tuesday that some in New York and Washington briefly mistook for a terrorist attack.

The most powerful earthquake to strike East Coast in 67 years had cracked the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral. The White House and the Capitol were evacuated.

With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack heading in three weeks, and the East Coast not being used to quakes of any size, people were shaken physically and emotionally.

Stressed-out D.C. mother of four Marion Babcock, who spent two hours stuck in traffic instead of her normal 25 minutes, did the only sensible thing for her frazzled, frightened kids: I treated their post-traumatic stress with copious amounts of chocolate mint and cookie dough ice cream.

Though there were no reports of deaths, fire officials in Washington reported a few injuries and minor breakage and damage.

East Coast Earthquake Mistaken as Terrorist Attack
A federal court officer instructs court personnel during an evacuation of the Federal Court Building in New York, following an 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the East Coast of the United States, August 23, 2011. The strong earthquakewas felt as far away as Canada on Tuesday, shaking buildings in many cities, delaying flights and trains and sending thousands of frightened workers into the streets. REUTERS
East Coast Earthquake Mistaken as Terrorist Attack
A spire atop the Washington National Cathedral shows damage following an earthquake along the eastern United States, August 23, 2011. Three of the four spires at the top of the cathedral were damaged in the largest earthquake to hit the area for over 100 years. REUTERS
East Coast Earthquake Mistaken as Terrorist Attack
Office workers evacuated from buildings near Foley Square stand outside after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the US East Coast and caused evacuations in New York August 23, 2011. REUTERS
East Coast Earthquake Mistaken as Terrorist Attack
The top of the pinnacle (C) of the National Cathedral Washington is damaged after an earthquake struck the east coast of the United States August 23, 2011. REUTERS
East Coast Earthquake Mistaken as Terrorist Attack
Virginia earthquake created a major gridlock in Washington, D.C. REUTERS
East Coast Earthquake Mistaken as Terrorist Attack
Evacuated workers gather outside of buildings in New York, following a 5.9 magnitude quake that struck the East Coast of the United States, August 23, 2011. The strong earthquake was felt as far away as Canada on Tuesday, shaking buildings in many cities, delaying flights and trains and sending thousands of frightened workers into the streets. REUTERS
New York Earthquake
New York experienced an earthquake on Tuesday. Now, forecasters are saying Hurricane Irene is likely to strike the metro area by Sunday. That's a lot to experience in one week. REUTERS
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