US

Washington Monument closed indefinitely after quake

C.J. Ciaramella Contributor
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The Washington Monument may be indefinitely closed to visitors after being damaged in the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked much of the Eastern Seaboard Tuesday afternoon.

The U.S. National Park Service reported minor cracks on the pyramid atop the monument. It said engineers will have to evaluate the damage, and how to repair it, before the popular tourist attraction can be reopened.

For now, the grounds outside the monument remain open to the public, but elevator rides to an observation deck in the monument have been indefinitely stopped.

Standing at just over 555 feet, the Washington Monument is the world’s tallest obelisk.

Another of Washington, D.C.’s tallest structures, the Washington National Cathedral, also suffered minor damage when several capstones were dislodged from its spires during the quake.