When was the earthquake that damaged the washington monument

On August 23, , a 5. Security footage from the foot observation deck shows strong shaking as people run for cover. Repair work was concentrated at the top. When steel is in buildings, it allows structures to bend and sway. It reopened after three years and shut down again for another three in for elevator renovations.

On August 15, the building was struck by lightning and it was caught on video. All the energy from the strike, damaged computer equipment. While the elevator is OK, getting it to move will take more than an electrician.

The part is expected sometime Monday. After examining the structure, she said the monument has withstood the test of time. It's extraordinary. When the obelisk was completed in , some 35 years after construction began, it was the world's tallest structure for five years until the Eiffel Tower was built in Paris.

The monument remains the world's tallest freestanding stone structure and stands to honor the nation's first president. The marble exterior has a distinct line marking the time when builders ran out of money and halted construction for 25 years during the Civil War era, later resuming work in The monument normally draws about , visitors a year but has been closed to tourists since the earthquake. Rubenstein helped jumpstart repairs in a unique arrangement by donating millions early last year to cover half the cost.

Delaying the repairs would have caused the monument to deteriorate and cost more to restore, Rubenstein said. Jewell said the national parks belong to all Americans and must be maintained with taxpayer support, though private philanthropy makes a difference. Rubenstein said he hopes his gift could be an example for others. The climbing group spent several hours on the monument June 2, walking around and examining the stone at several levels.

Engineers explained how repairs will be completed from the top down. Some stones shaken loose by the 5. Other damaged pieces have been cut out with clean lines to allow for a new rectangular block of marble to be sealed into place. The worst of the damage is from about feet upward, where the monument shook most violently, said James Perry, the chief of resource management for the National Mall.

The most difficult part of the repair was gaining access to the exterior. An earthquake may shake its foundations Explore This Park. Washington Monument District of Columbia. Info Alerts Maps Calendar Reserve. Alerts In Effect Dismiss.