No injuries were immediately reported following a rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the densely populated city of 8.3 million residents in the northeastern US on Friday morning, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake’s epicenter was located 45 miles west of New York City in Lebanon, New Jersey, causing building tremors in Manhattan and throughout the five boroughs. Approximately 45 million people may have experienced the tremors, but there were no casualties or significant structural damage reported, as confirmed by the New York City Fire Department.
The New York City mayor’s office stated on social media that they are still evaluating the impact of the earthquake, with a scheduled press conference to provide updates. The NYC Emergency Management agency advised those in danger to call 911 and report any non-emergency impacts to the city’s services hotline. The Holland Tunnel, a commuter route connecting New Jersey and Manhattan, was temporarily closed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for inspection.
Residents reported feeling the shaking for several minutes, with testimonies of doors trembling and vibrations likened to a drum circle. People in surrounding areas such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Connecticut also experienced minor tremors from the earthquake. Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed contact with the White House, where President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation.
The USGS mentioned that earthquakes are uncommon along the Atlantic Coast due to the lack of an active tectonic plate boundary, but stresses can still occur. The earthquake brought back memories of a 2011 quake that affected millions along the East Coast, with a magnitude of 5.8 and significant damage in areas like Virginia and Washington D.C.