I'm near the Capitol Building -- first thought was that there was a huge explosion.

Incredible. It's one thing to know the potential for earthquake shaking (the 1811-12 New Madrid quakes rang church bells in DC and Boston) but quite another to experience this shaking. The east coast's geology does transmit earthquake waves more efficiently than California's.

People ran out of buildings into the street and everyone was asking aloud what the heck had happened.

Sounds like a shallow quake (3.7 miles down) and 5.9 or 6.0 is enormous for the east coast. Virginia has a history of quakes but previously 4.0 or so was about the upper limit in recent years.

I'm going to run home and see how 100 year old brick rowhouses are faring.

Cell phone still is not functioning. Cell service cut out right away.

Walked my dog with a friend this morning and she commented on what a beautiful day it is: "9/11 sky," she said.