GURUTRENDS

4.8 earthquake near New York City rattles much of the Northeast

GuruTrendsApril 5, 2024

0 0 2 minutes read

FAST DOWNLOAD

NEW YORK – A strong earthquake sent shockwaves throughout New York City and the surrounding area Friday morning.

The 4.8 quake was centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, 40 miles west of New York City, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It hit at approximately 10:23 a.m.

The impact was felt throughout the Tri-State Area, including upstate in Syracuse, as well as in Philadelphia and as far away as Baltimore. Reports of buildings shaking and rattling came in from New Jersey to Long Island.

“We’re taking this extremely seriously and here’s why. There’s always the possibility of aftershocks. We have not felt a magnitude of this earthquake since about 2011,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “It’s been an unsettling day, to say the least.”

Hochul said she has started a damage assessment across the state, and spoke with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, since the quake’s epicenter was located in the Garden State.

Murphy said New Jersey has activated its Emergency Operations Center, and urged residents to not call 911 unless they are experiencing an actual emergency.

NYC Mayor Adams: “New Yorkers should go about their normal day”

New York City officials said there have so far been no reports of major impacts across the city.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said though there’s always a concern about aftershocks, “New Yorkers should go about their normal day. First responders are working to make sure the city’s safe.”

In the event of an aftershock, Adams said people should “drop to the floor, cover your head and neck, and take cover under a solid piece of furniture next to an interior wall, or in a doorway.”

Adams also said he’s been in touch with the White House.

“Earthquakes don’t happen every day in New York, so this can be extremely traumatic – the number of texts, calls and inquiries that people sent out not only to our administration, but to family members. Check in on them. We know how this can impact you,” Adams said.

Traffic, transit and airport impacts of the quake

The quake caused temporary ground stops at John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty International Airport. There were delays as well as LaGuardia as crews check for damage to the airports and runways

The MTA said it is inspecting all New York City-area bridges and tunnels. Officials also said subway tunnels were being checked. No damage has been reported at this point.

Amtrak and MTA service remained on their full schedule, Hochul said.

“I was laying in my bed, and my whole apartment building started shaking. I started freaking out,” one New York City resident told CBS New York’s Elijah Westbrook.

Cracks in walls were visible in an apartment in Berkeley Heights, N.J.

The Empire State Building had bit of fun after the quake.

“I AM FINE,” the building posted on X.

More history of earthquakes in New York

It’s not the first time the East Coast and New York City have been hit with a quake. A 5.0 quake was measured in New York City in 1884.

There’s a major fault line in New Jersey called the Ramapo Fault, which stems from the Appalachian mountains, and there are at least five smaller fault lines under Manhattan island.

The quake comes just a few months after the USGS warned nearly 75% of the United States could face damaging quakes in the next 100 years.

In 2011, a 5.8 quake struck in Virginia and rattled the entire East Coast.

Check back soon for more on this developing story.