The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 4.8-magnitude earthquake hitting close to New York City on Friday (April 5) morning. This quake rattled buildings along the East Coast, catching residents off guard in a region unaccustomed to significant seismic events.

According to the data, the earthquake’s epicenter was located in Tewksbury, central New Jersey, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of New York City. According to the USGS, it occurred shortly after 10:20 a.m. ET (1420 GMT) at a depth of 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles). 

4.0 magnitude aftershock

At 5:59 p.m., a small but perceptible aftershock, registering a magnitude of 4.0, occurred, as per the USGS. Although no significant damage was reported, engineering teams were conducting inspections on roads and bridges as a precautionary measure.

“This ranks as one of the most substantial earthquakes to hit the East Coast in the past century,” stated New York Governor Kathy Hochul during a news conference.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that there were no reported injuries, but advised city residents to seek cover under furniture, in doorways, or next to interior walls if they experienced any aftershocks.

“New Yorkers should continue with their normal routines,” Mayor Eric Adams stated at a news conference. Reports of rumbling and shaking were widespread from Baltimore to Boston, prompting some individuals to venture outside in an attempt to identify the source.

Charita Walcott, a 38-year-old Bronx resident, described the quake as “a violent rumble lasting about 30 seconds or so.” “It felt like being in a drum circle, with that vibration,” she added. Mayor James Pittinger of Lebanon, New Jersey, near the epicenter, mentioned there were no injuries or significant damage reported but acknowledged that people were unsettled. “Things started falling off the walls and shelves in my home office,” Pittinger recalled. “It was a surreal experience.”

U.S. President Joe Biden conversed with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy regarding the earthquake, and the White House affirmed readiness to provide assistance if necessary.

At the United Nations in midtown Manhattan, the Save the Children CEO halted addressing the Security Council on the Israel-Gaza conflict as cameras began shaking. “You’re making the ground shake,” quipped Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour. 

Flight operations halted

Following the earthquake, flights were temporarily halted at area airports, with operations resuming by 12:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), though residual delays were anticipated.

Friday’s tremor marked the most significant seismic event in the city since a 2011 5.8-magnitude earthquake in Virginia, which led to evacuations of City Hall and other structures and caused damage in Washington, D.C.

Earthquake magnitudes are measured on a logarithmic scale, with each whole number increase representing over 30 times more energy release. For instance, the 1989 earthquake during baseball’s World Series in San Francisco measured at 6.9 magnitude, making it over 1,000 times more potent than Friday’s quake.

Earthquakes in the eastern U.S. are felt over a much broader area compared to those in the western U.S. This is because the bedrock in the east is older and harder, facilitating the transfer of seismic energy more efficiently, according to the USGS. Conversely, the younger rocks and multiple faults in the western U.S. tend to absorb earthquake energy.