<br/>A rare 3.6-magnitude quake rattled Washington and the surrounding area on Friday, startling locals unfamiliar with the experience of wobbly walls and trembling earth. <br/><br/>The US Geological Survey said the quake struck 35 kilometre northwest of the US federal capital, in the state of Maryland. But, it was felt by residents living and working in downtown Washington near the White House as well as south of the capital in the state of Virginia.<br/><br/>Earthquakes are unusual on the US east coast and there is no record of a tremblor ever having been centered in the US capital.