NORTH ANNA - UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO AN EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 3.2

At 1856 EST, North Anna, Units 1 and 2, experienced an onsite seismic event. This was confirmed by the National Earthquake Information Center to be a magnitude 3.2. Based on these 2 indications the licensee declared an Unusual Event per EAL HU 1.1. The earthquake did not impact operations or equipment, and both units remain at 100% power. To exit the Unusual Event the licensee will need to verify that no damage was sustained to any systems or equipment. Presently the licensee is conducting a walkdown to verify no damage was incurred.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee also notified the state and other government agencies.

* * * UPDATE AT 0048 EST ON 1/31/12 FROM ROGER SMUTHERS TO PETE SNYDER * * *

"The NOUE declared at 1856 EST on 1/30/12 has been terminated [at 0035 EST]. The event has been terminated after completion of AP-36, which is the procedure used when seismic activity is experienced. The abnormal procedure included engineering and operations inspections of various systems throughout the station, all of which were completed satisfactorily with no damage found relating to the seismic event."

"None of the stations seismic instrumentation actuated during the event due to low seismic activity felt at the station. The newly installed Free Field Seismic Instrumentation did not actuate which has a trigger point of 0.1 g's further demonstrating the low level of the seismic activity experienced at the station."

Notification Date: 01/30/2012
Notification Time: 19:15 [ET]
Event Date: 01/30/2012
Event Time: 18:56 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/30/2012

Region: 2 State: VA
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: ROGER SMUTHERS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE