A magnitude-4.8 earthquake rattled the northeastern United States today, sending tremors from Philadelphia to Boston and jolting buildings in New York City. Though unsettling, there have been no reports of significant damage, and Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to continue with their normal activities.
The quake struck at 10:23 a.m. with its epicenter near Whitehouse Station, N.J., approximately 40 miles west of New York City, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The agency noted the bedrock rupture occurred at a depth of 2.9 miles.
Reports emerged from nearby Lebanon, N.J., where diners witnessed china plates rattling and residents rushed into the streets as trees, cars, and the ground shook with the seismic activity.
This event marks the 188th earthquake with a magnitude of 2.5 or higher within a 250-mile radius of New York City since 1957. However, only seven of these have exceeded a magnitude of 4.5. Today’s earthquake ranks as the third-highest magnitude within this dataset.
The USGS has recorded a handful of minor aftershocks, the most significant registering at a magnitude of 2.2 near the initial quake’s epicenter.
Despite the relatively mild impact felt in New York City, the earthquake serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with seismic activity in urban environments. The city is home to over 200,000 multifamily buildings constructed with un-reinforced brick between the mid-1800s and the 1930s, as outlined in the city’s hazard plan. Many neighborhoods, including rowhouses, fall within this category, raising concerns about structural vulnerabilities in the event of a stronger earthquake.
While today’s earthquake caused only minimal disruption, authorities emphasize the importance of preparedness and awareness in mitigating potential risks posed by future seismic events.
