UPDATE: Earthquake Hits Region

Updated (3:15 p.m.)—An earthquake shook buildings and rattled nerves in Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties and across the East Coast this afternoon.

The epicenter of the 5.9 magnitude quake was Mineral, VA, near Richmond, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It started just before 2 p.m.

Some students in Anne Arundel County were reportedly instructed to take cover under their desks during the quake, which happened just before high schools dismissed at 2:05 p.m so high school students were evacuated shortly thereafter and put on the buses.

According to a written statement released just before 3 p.m. from Bob Mosier, schools spokesman for Anne Arundel County, all school buildings were evacuated and students are re-entering as buildings are being cleared. Mosier also confirmed high school buses were dismissed on a normal schedule and middle and elementary schools should dismiss at the normal times. All activities for Tuesday night to be held at county school buildings (including after-school child care and athletics) are canceled as a precaution.

As of 2:30 p.m., state police received no reports of serious injuries, but troopers were on patrol across the state to check for injuries to citizens and major damage, according to a news release.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.