Residents along the East Coast were jolted awake Friday morning as a minor earthquake hit New Jersey and sent tremors through surrounding areas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake, measuring at least 4.8 magnitude, struck near Lebanon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m., approximately 45 miles west of New York City and 50 miles north of Philadelphia. The quake was felt by an estimated 42 million people in 14 states from Maine to North Carolina, with over 152,000 Americans reporting feeling the shaking to the USGS.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued a statement confirming the earthquake and activating the State Emergency Operations Center. A series of aftershocks followed, with the first one recorded at 6 p.m. near Gladstone, New Jersey, measuring 4.0 magnitude.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and New York Governor Kathy Hochul also issued statements urging residents to stay calm and updated on the situation. Flights at Newark and JFK airports were temporarily halted, and the Holland Tunnel was briefly closed for inspection.
Residents took to social media to share their experiences, with reports of shaking felt as far north as Vermont and New Hampshire. Some described the event as feeling like a furnace exploding, while others reported strong shaking lasting for about 30 seconds.
Despite the rare occurrence of earthquakes on the East Coast, experts emphasized the importance of staying prepared for such natural disasters. The historic quake along the Ramapo Fault line was the strongest to hit New Jersey in 240 years and the strongest in NYC in 139 years.
Authorities assured the public that no major life safety issues were reported, and infrastructure inspections were ongoing. Residents were encouraged to return to their daily routines, with school operations and after-school programs continuing as planned.
Overall, the earthquake served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the importance of being prepared for any eventuality.
