A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck the New York City region on Friday morning, with the epicentre near Lebanon, New Jersey, about 40 miles west of the city. The tremor was felt across a wide area, including New York City, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state is taking the earthquake very seriously due to the potential for aftershocks, adding that her team is reviewing the state's infrastructure. Mayor Eric Adams advised New Yorkers to go about their normal day, noting that first responders are working to ensure the city is safe.
Residents described the quake as a violent rumble lasting about 30 seconds. Charita Walcott, from the Bronx, said it felt like a violent rumble. In Brooklyn, a reporter's walls shook, knocking a whiskey bottle and spices from shelves. Danielle Guida, in a Midtown Manhattan office building, was in a sauna when the quake struck, prompting a fire department response.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) noted that earthquakes of this magnitude are rare in the region, with only three near or above magnitude 5 in the past 300 years. The last earthquake exceeding magnitude 5 in the area was in 1884. There is a 3% chance of magnitude 5 aftershocks in the next week.
No severe damage or injuries have been reported, but the event caused widespread alarm. Indoor cameras in a New Jersey home captured the moment as paintings fell and a dog sought safety. Many residents, like Razia Sultana, immediately checked on family members, finding everyone safe.
