Seismologists are taking a miles-deep examination of central Virginia to better understand the causes of an earthquake that rattled millions along the East Coast.

Provided a key piece of equipment arrives, a small aircraft laden with sophisticated measuring devices will begin flying Thursday over a 12-by-15-mile area -- the epicenter of a magnitude 5.8 earthquake on Aug. 23, 2011.

The flights could last up to 10 days and cover parts of Louisa, Goochland and Fluvanna counties. They'll measure buried geological features and detect underground faults 7 to 9 miles deep.

The powerful earthquake is believed to have been felt by more people than any other in U.S. history. It was centered 3 to 4 miles beneath Mineral in Louisa County.