. the u.s. geological survey estimates more than 12 million people live close enough to the quake s epicenter. we have been talking to a lot of them that did feel it this afternoon. we are hearing reports of possible damage to the u.s. capital. derek mcginty joins us live. he was on the title basin with details. derek. reporter: this was not a terrorist attack, but in a lot of ways the reaction has been similar and it certainly felt like it to a lot of folks at the time. u.s. park police spent a lot of the afternoon roping off and closing down some of our most important monuments and icons in this area. the martin luther king memorial, closed down. the washington monument, the jefferson memorial, and many other areas down here on the washington mall. you mentioned the u.s. capital. that is the subject of our latest reports where there is serious damage and there is a lot more going to be done. i m joined live by bruce leshan who has been able to find out what is going o