The earthquake that just shook the East Coast was caused by one of dozens of ancient fault lines that have lain dormant for hundreds of millions of years, top scientists announced on Friday.

Wednesday afternoon's 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck about 173 miles west of Bandon. A tsunami is not expected.

The discovery of a new fault line may explain the unusually strong and displaced shaking from April’s magnitude 4.8 ...

The sheer size of the fault means it is capable of producing some of the strongest earthquakes in the world. A magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake off the coast could cause widespread devastation.

A strong earthquake hit off the West Coast of the United States on Wednesday, geologists said, but no tsunami alert was issued.