On August 23 , 2011 , the Washington Monument sustained damage during the 5.8 magnitude 2011 Virginia earthquake ; over 150 cracks were found in the monument . A National Park Service spokesperson reported that inspectors discovered a crack near the top of the structure , and announced that the monument would be closed indefinitely . A block in the pyramidion also was partially dislodged , and pieces of stone , stone chips , mortar , and paint chips came free of the monument and " littered " the interior stairs and observation deck . The Park Service said it was bringing in two structural engineering firms ( Wiss , Janney , Elstner Associates , Inc. and Tipping Mar Associates ) with extensive experience in historic buildings and earthquake-damaged structures to assess the monument
2011 Virginia earthquake
2011 Virginia earthquake
Washington Monument