After feeling the tremor, New Yorkers flock to X to share experiences and seek information, turning #earthquake into a trend. (REUTERS/Amr Alfiky)
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the East Coast of the United States early Friday, raising alarm and causing buildings to shake from Maryland to Maine, including major cities such as New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Connecticut. The epicenter of the earthquake was located near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, around 10:30 a.m., according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
This seismic activity is not common in the northeast of the country, highlighting that it is the strongest earthquake in this region since the one recorded in Buffalo, New York, of magnitude 3.8 (3.8) in February 2023, the most intense in 40 years .
In immediate response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said her team was assessing impacts and possible damage, promising updates throughout the day. “My team is assessing the impacts and any damage that may have occurred,” she said in X.
For his part, the deputy mayor of New York, Fabien Levy, pointed out that no major impacts were reported in the city. On the New Jersey side, Governor Phil Murphy activated the state’s emergency operations center, urging the population to use the 911 emergency line only for critical situations.
Preliminary data from the USGS shows that a magnitude 4.8 earthquake was recorded near Whitehouse Station, NJ. (USGS)
The PATCO Port Transportation Authority, which operates a rapid transit route between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, suspended its services to conduct infrastructure safety inspections, without specifying a time frame for resuming service. Similarly, although the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported no direct impacts to its service, teams are being deployed for detailed inspections of rail lines.
Due to the earthquake, the FAA has announced delays at Newark Liberty International, La Guardia, John F. Kennedy International and Teterboro airports. Delays are expected to reach up to 45 minutes for arriving flights. Additionally, Baltimore-Washington International Airport also experienced arrival delays of up to 30 minutes.
Despite the initial scare and the mobilization of emergency services and evaluation of critical infrastructure, no injuries were reported. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and the New York mayor’s office confirmed the absence of significant damage.
Infrastructure under the magnifying glass: suspensions and reviews in transportation after the earthquake (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)
This event highlighted the importance of rapid earthquake preparation and response in areas not traditionally associated with high seismic activity. Friday’s earthquake serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of these natural disasters and the need to maintain up-to-date and effective emergency protocols.
This tremor joins others that, although rare in the Northeast, have been felt in previous years, such as those that occurred last year and the notable 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia in 2011, which even affected Manhattan. The most significant incident recorded in the city occurred in 1884, under Coney Island, with a magnitude of 5.2, as reported by the New York Times.
New York City issued an emergency alert following the 4.7 magnitude earthquake. Residents were urged to stay home and contact 911 in case of injuries. There is a possibility of aftershocks, underscoring the importance of remaining vigilant, the statement said.
At 11:02 a.m., New Yorkers received an emergency alert on their phones, accompanied by a beep. The alert warned of an earthquake and urged people to stay indoors and call 911 in case of injuries.
Citizens received a notification of the earthquake that occurred in New York, so they could take shelter (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)
According to data from the USGS at 11:25 local time, the earthquake felt in New Jersey is the third strongest within 400 kilometers of New York City since 1950, highlighting the magnitude of the earthquake.
Recordings of citizens and security cameras went viral on social networks, which captured the moment of the earthquake and showed the intensity with which it shook the area.
An unusual tremor shook the east coast of the United States, from Maryland to Maine. The epicenter was located in New Jersey, which triggered infrastructure reviews and the suspension of certain essential services.
Hochul, through his X account, spoke again about the event and, fortunately, confirmed that there were no injuries or deaths during the earthquake that occurred during the morning.
“I have directed state agencies to inspect our bridges, roads, railroads, major transmission lines and dams, and any other potentially vulnerable infrastructure to ensure they are safe. So far there are no reports of damage or injuries from the tremor,” he wrote.
A sign in Lebanon, the epicenter area of the 4.8 earthquake that hit the Big Apple and New Jersey (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)
For his part, Mayor Eric Adams also gave a message on his account, reporting that his office continues to evaluate and investigate the aftermath of the earthquake. Likewise, he reported that, so far, there was no structural damage in the entire epicenter area.
“All city agencies and our partners at the state and federal level continue to monitor the aftermath of the earthquake felt this morning in New York City,” Adams wrote.
Lebanon firefighters went to the homes to reassure residents and carry out the respective inspections (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)
Authorities and members of the local fire team went to the Lebanon community to inspect possible damage in the area and confirm if any residents were affected during the natural phenomenon. For his part, in a telephone conversation with Fox News, the mayor, James J. Pittinger, described the tremor as “the craziest thing he has ever experienced in his entire life,” highlighting the rarity of the earthquake.
According to data from the United States Geological Survey, analyzed by CNN, the 4.8 earthquake on April 5 is the third strongest that has ever shaken the state. The two strongest tremors registered an intensity of 5.1 and date back to 755 and 1783, respectively.
