Is the Washington Monument Tilting From Earthquake? Right or Left, or Wrong?

Was the Washington Monument so vulnerable that the 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Virginia is tilting the world's tallest obelisk?

Half an hour after the earthquake shook the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina to Toronto early Tuesday afternoon, a Capitol Hill Police officer was reportedly saying the Washington Monument may be tilting because of the vibrations.

The initial Fox News report was picked up by media outlets as well as Twitter, followed up by seismologist John Rundle, who asserted the possibility for the Washington Monument to tilt, suggesting an examination of the obelisk's structure.

Fox News claims the Washington monument is leaning to the right, MSNBC claims it's leaning to the left, tweeted @I_am_SparkzZz.

In the nation's capital, major monuments including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the Old Post Office Tower have been temporarily closed after the quake.

The earthquake rattled buildings in downtown Washington, D.C., causing parts of the Pentagon, White House and to evacuate.

The nation's capital saw mild damage to some of its buildings, including the well-known National Cathedral church. CNN reported the Church experienced damage to its central pole, and a National Cathedral spokesman confirmed to The New York Times that at least three pinnacles on the central tower had broken off.

According to the National Park Service, the structures are being evaluated to ensure the monuments' safety.

There was absolutely no damage to the Washington Monument, agency spokesman Jeffrey Olson told the AP that there was absolutely no damage to the Washington Monument.

It stands tall and proud, declared U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser.

The buzz has not yet calmed down, and Twitter users have so much more to say about the Monument.

The Washington Monument is leaning slightly to the left. Now to be referred to as the Clinton monument, tweeted @3fecta.

The washington monument may not be leaning but there are large cracks running horizontally and vertically along it, says @lunanik86.

The Washington Monument is now tilted? Well, at least it's not the first crooked thing in Washington... says @WatcherLinda.

Don't believe the lies, the washington ,monument is safe and fine, i just drove past it, said @Olekanmalaw on Twitter.

Adam Martin of the Atlantic Wire called the rumor completely fantastic gaining merit, and the public interest is certainly building up.

While the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial could reopen as early as Tuesday evening, the Washington Monument will stay closed until further notice, due to its structural complexities, explained the NPS.