August’s 5.8 magnitude earthquake has delivered a long-distance aftershock — the closure of the Washington Monument. Deciding that the structure had suffered more damage than originally thought, the National Park Service has shut the monument down indefinitely.

The Washington Post reports pieces of stone tumbled loose inside the monument, and mortar debris that fell from the building during the quake has been found at its base. Also, the elevator has been damaged and can now go only about halfway up to to the top of the monument.

Engineers will start a five-day, block-by-block inspection today, rappelling down each side of the building.

Washington Monument closed indefinitely [The Washington Post]

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