If you felt the tremor, USGS wants to hear from you.
New York City and its neighboring areas were jolted earlier this morning by an earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale, a rarity for this region. While mild compared to some seismic events, it’s a significant occurrence for the East Coast.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has pinpointed the epicenter of the quake near Lebanon, New Jersey, approximately 64 kilometers (40 miles) east of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and 72 kilometers (45 miles) west of New York City. Striking at a depth of 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles), the quake hit around 10:23 am local time (2:23 pm UTC).
Image credit: Florian Wehde/Unsplash
Reports indicate that shaking was felt as far as Baltimore and Philadelphia, with some residents in Brooklyn and Manhattan describing loud booming sounds and tremors. Given that a magnitude 4.0 earthquake in the eastern US can be felt up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) away, it’s no surprise that reports are pouring in from distant locations.
While seismic activity isn’t a typical concern for New Yorkers, residents were fortunate to have the guidance of a California native, accustomed to earthquakes, who helped reassure neighbors in one Manhattan apartment building.
Thankfully, no major damage or injuries have been reported, and there are no tsunami warnings in effect. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State assured residents via social media that her team is actively assessing the situation and will provide updates as necessary. Meanwhile, locals, including a few well-known personalities, have been sharing their earthquake experiences online.
If you experienced the tremor, the USGS encourages you to report your observations to contribute to their ongoing research and monitoring efforts.
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