Washington Monument

On August 23, 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake occurred 84 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and as the earth shook, the Washington Monument sustained significant damage to many of its marble and granite blocks. Although the monument remained structurally sound, internal and external stone damage was discovered in many areas. Most of the damage occurred in the top fifty feet of the monument, the pyramidion, which suffered cracks to marble panels, tie beams, and rib bearing haunches, as well as displacement of rib stones. Emergency teams waterproofed cracks and removed loose stone for safety. To facilitate repairs, a temporary access road and scaffolding were put in place, damage was accessed in September 2012, and repairs were expected to be completed in 2014.

Washington, District of Columbia · United States