A 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Northeast US
New York, CNN – A 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattled buildings across parts of the Northeast in the morning hours on Friday. The earthquake, the third largest recorded in the region in the last five decades and the strongest in New Jersey in more than 240 years, was felt from Washington, DC to New York City to Maine, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Unexpected Quake Disrupts Everyday Life
In a region unaccustomed to earthquakes, millions of people across a vast area in the Northeast were stunned as buildings shook and the ground rumbled. Stunned residents in large swaths of the region initially mistook the shaking for a passing tractor trailer or freight train, only to realize it was indeed an earthquake. However, despite the disruption it caused to work and school life, authorities reported no major damages or injuries. Life soon returned to normal for residents in the affected areas.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Quake
Residents described their experiences during the earthquake. Jeanne Evola, a resident of Franklin Square on Long Island, described her whole house shaking and initially thinking it was caused by a passing big truck or the oil burner inside her house. She ran outside as the quake intensified and found her neighbors experiencing the same rattling.
David Rodriguez, a resident of Hoboken, New Jersey, also felt the building shake and described the quake as having a sound of something swaying from side to side.
Despite the jolt and momentary fear, no damages or injuries were reported, and New York Mayor Eric Adams urged New Yorkers to go about their normal day.
Minor Aftershocks Expected
There have been at least 18 aftershocks since the quake, according to the USGS. A 4.0 magnitude aftershock was recorded southwest of Gladstone, just 20 minutes from the epicenter. The USGS estimates a 74% chance of magnitude 3 and above aftershocks occurring within the next week, with only a 1% chance of aftershocks of magnitude 5 and stronger.
Potential Impacts of the Quake
The earthquake caused minor disruptions to air and train travel. Flights to the New York Kennedy, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Newark airports were initially held, and the air traffic control tower at Newark Liberty airport was evacuated. Amtrak also reported slowed train service as track inspections were performed. However, as of 3:30 PM ET, all inspections have been completed and service has been restored to normal speed.
The quake, despite being relatively minor, frightened many residents who are unaccustomed to earthquakes in the area. The USGS explained this unexpected earthquake as a combination of the unique geology of the region, older and denser rock formations in the eastern US, and older buildings not designed to the latest earthquake codes.
Conclusion
This unexpected earthquake in the Northeast US serves as a reminder of the potential for seismic activity in regions typically considered less prone to earthquakes. Residents in affected areas should continue to take caution, especially in older buildings, while going about their daily lives.
