National Mall monuments closed after earthquake

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service says all memorials and monuments on the National Mall have been evacuated and closed after an earthquake struck near the nation's capital. No damage was reported.

The Park Service says the memorials and monuments, including the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, were evacuated immediately after the quake.

Agency spokesman Jeffrey Olson says that there was "absolutely no damage" to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial or other tourist destinations along the Mall.

The 5.9 earthquake struck 83 miles southwest of the city Tuesday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of many government buildings.