An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 shook buildings across parts of the Northeastern United States on Friday morning, as reported by the US Geological Survey. The tremors were felt from Washington, DC to New York City to Maine, marking it as the third largest earthquake recorded in the area in the last five decades. This event also stands as the strongest earthquake in New Jersey in over 240 years.
The rare quake surprised residents in a region unaccustomed to earthquakes, with millions of people across hundreds of miles feeling the effects. Despite the initial shock and disruption to work and school life, authorities reported little to no damage and minimal travel disruptions.
Residents described feeling their houses shaking and mistaking the quake for passing trucks or trains before realizing the true nature of the event. Emergency services responded promptly to reports of shaking buildings, with no major incidents or injuries reported in New York City.
Following the earthquake, residents were startled by emergency alerts on their mobile phones warning of potential aftershocks. Several minor aftershocks were recorded in the area, with the largest being a magnitude 2.2.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to take the earthquake seriously, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. In New Jersey, reports of structural damage and evacuations emerged, with some homes being relocated due to safety concerns.
Overall, the earthquake served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic events and the importance of preparedness in regions not typically prone to earthquakes.
