A rare earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 struck New Jersey early Friday morning, sending tremors across New York City and the wider Northeast region. The unexpected seismic event startled residents but caused no significant damage.
What Happened?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake's epicentre was near Lebanon, New Jersey, with a depth of approximately 4.7 kilometres. The tremor was felt as far as Philadelphia and Connecticut, though the strongest shaking occurred in New Jersey and New York.
Public Reaction
Social media quickly flooded with reactions from shaken residents, many of whom had never experienced an earthquake before. "I thought a truck hit my building," one Manhattan resident tweeted. Others described swaying furniture and rattling windows.
No Major Damage Reported
Authorities confirmed no serious structural damage or injuries, though some buildings were briefly evacuated as a precaution. New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that officials were "assessing all potential impacts" but urged calm.
Why Is This Unusual?
Earthquakes of this magnitude are rare on the US East Coast, where tectonic plates are less active than in California or Alaska. However, experts note that smaller quakes do occur periodically due to ancient fault lines.
The USGS advised residents to prepare for possible aftershocks in the coming days, though these are expected to be minor.
