NEW YORK: An earthquake struck the heavily populated New York City metropolitan area on Friday morning. People in the Northeast reported feeling rumbling in a location where they are not used to sensing seismic activity.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake recorded a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 and was centered near Lebanon, New Jersey, approximately 45 miles west of New York City and 50 miles north of Philadelphia. Initial reports suggested that the quake may have been felt by more than 42 million people.
While the Fire Department of New York stated there were no immediate reports of damage, Mayor Eric Adams had been briefed on the situation. “While we do not have any reports of major impacts at this time, we’re still assessing the impact,” said spokesperson Fabien Levy.
In midtown Manhattan, the usual cacophony of traffic grew louder as motorists reacted to the momentarily shuddering streets. Residents in Brooklyn reported hearing a booming sound and feeling their buildings shake. In Manhattan’s East Village, a resident from earthquake-prone California reassured nervous neighbors.
At a coffee shop in lower Manhattan, patrons buzzed over the unexpected quake, which rattled dishware and shook the counter. “I noticed the door trembling on its frame,” said barista India Hays. “I thought surely there couldn’t be an earthquake here.”
Reports of shaking came in from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Connecticut, and other areas of the Northeast. Tremors lasting several seconds were felt over 200 miles away near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border.
Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that the quake was felt throughout the state of New York and assured the public that her team was assessing any impacts or damage that may have occurred.
The event brought back memories of the August 23, 2011, earthquake that jolted millions of people from Georgia to Canada.
