- Magnitude 4.8 earthquake in NYC; The earthquake was centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and was felt across a wide area, including New York City, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
- This was the strongest quake with an epicenter in New Jersey since at least the year 1900.
- The U.S. Geological Survey reported a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
- Ground stops were ordered at major airports in the region, but they have since resumed operations.
- The earthquake was described as “one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century” by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
On April 5, 2024, a rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook the Northeast, including New York City, New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania, causing significant disruption and concern among residents. The earthquake’s epicenter was near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and its effects were felt as far south as Washington, D.C., and as far north as Maine, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This quake was described as one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century by New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
The earthquake caused buildings to shake from Philadelphia to New Jersey and New York City to Connecticut and Westchester, New York. It was felt as far away as Boston and Delaware, indicating the widespread impact of the tremor. The U.S. Geological Survey noted that earthquakes along the Atlantic Seaboard are uncommon but not unheard of, and while a 4.8 magnitude earthquake is not large enough to cause significant damage, it is large enough to be strongly felt, especially in the east where earthquake shaking travels through the crust more efficiently.
Preliminary 4.8 magnitude earthquake in New Jersey, felt in NYC (via USGS) pic.twitter.com/lMwNgyluNs
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) April 5, 2024
This earthquake was the strongest with an epicenter in New Jersey since at least the year 1900, according to preliminary analysis from the U.S. Geological Survey. In response to the quake, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport were all placed on ground stops so runways could be inspected for damage. The airports have since resumed operations. Additionally, cars at the Holland Tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan were temporarily held so the tunnel could be inspected.
The earthquake’s impact was felt throughout New York, and while there were no initial reports of damage, residents were advised to stay calm and follow any emergency alerts. The New York City mayor’s office messaged residents with information about what to do in case of an aftershock, but many were confused by an emergency alert coming through on cell phones thirty minutes after the ground stopped shaking.
Despite the earthquake’s effects, there was a low likelihood of casualties and damage, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Residents reported various experiences, from feeling like there was a roller coaster under their houses to seeing walls shaking like a wave. The earthquake’s occurrence was a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity, although tremors in the city are not unheard of, and it is rare to experience any measuring over 4.5.
The 4.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the Northeast on April 5, 2024, was a significant event that affected a wide area, causing disruption and concern among residents. While the earthquake did not cause major damage, it served as a reminder of the region’s seismic activity and the importance of preparedness and awareness in the face of such events.
