Washington Monument cracked after quake
The Washington Monument is closed today after cracking in stones at the top of the structure was discovered Tuesday.
The cracking was possibly caused by the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that shook the East Coast Tuesday afternoon.
The National Park Service inspected the monument after the quake and has temporarily closed the monument and the surrounding area.
“The NPS will have structural engineers evaluate the cracks on Wednesday to determine the best way to repair the Monument before it is reopened,” the park service said in a statement.
The monument, which stands over 555 feet tall, is the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk.
kim.geiger@latimes.com
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