A surprising 4.8-magnitude earthquake shook the New York City region on Friday morning, marking one of the most significant seismic events on the East Coast in the last century. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake's epicenter in Tewksbury, central New Jersey, about 40 miles west of NYC.
The earthquake struck just after 10:20 a.m. ET (1420 GMT) at a shallow depth of 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles), causing buildings along the East Coast to sway and surprising residents in an area not typically known for notable seismic activity.
By late afternoon, a small aftershock measured 4.0 on the Richter scale, adding to the day's unsettling events. Despite the tremors, no major damage was reported. Engineering teams swiftly moved to inspect roads and bridges to ensure public safety.
\"This is one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century,\" New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated during a news conference.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that there were no reported injuries but advised residents to take standard earthquake precautions. He urged everyone in the city to remain calm and continue with their daily routines, emphasizing, \"New Yorkers should go about their normal day.\"
The tremors were felt from Baltimore to Boston, with many residents experiencing the ground rumbling beneath them. Some people rushed outside in an attempt to pinpoint the quake's origin.
Charita Walcott, a 38-year-old resident of the Bronx, described the experience as \"a violent rumble that lasted about 30 seconds or so.\" \"It was kind of like being in a drum circle, that vibration,\" she added.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
