Strong Earthquake Hits the East Coast of the United States

Earthquake Strikes the East Coast of the United States

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 struck the east coast of the United States on Friday morning. The epicenter of the earthquake was located near Lebanon, New Jersey. The quake occurred a little before 10:30 a.m. ET and was followed by an aftershock of magnitude 4.0 at around 6 p.m. ET. This earthquake was the strongest recorded in the northeast in over a decade, according to USGS records.

Impact and Reactions

The earthquake caused buildings to shake and rattled nerves from Maryland to Maine. James Pittinger, the mayor of Lebanon, New Jersey, described the earthquake as “the craziest thing I’ve ever experienced.” While there were no immediate reports of major destruction or fatalities, even a 4.8-magnitude earthquake can cause damage on the east coast, which does not take similar precautions as other earthquake-prone areas around the world.

Local and regional officials launched inspections to ensure that buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure were not damaged by the earthquake. Fortunately, there were no reports of significant damage so far. However, the shaking did cause objects to fall off shelves and even made a dog run for cover, according to Mayor Pittinger.

Aftershocks Continue to Rattle New Jersey

Following the initial earthquake, a series of aftershocks occurred throughout New Jersey. At approximately 5:59 p.m., an aftershock with a magnitude of 4.0 occurred southwest of Gladstone, an unincorporated community within the borough of Peapack-Gladstone in Somerset County. Governor Phil Murphy urged residents to follow emergency guidance and avoid calling 911 unless there was an actual emergency.

During the nearly eight hours between the initial earthquake and the 4.0 aftershock, several smaller aftershocks were recorded. As of 8:45 p.m., there were at least 14 aftershocks, with an additional three experienced after the 4.0 aftershock. The United States Geological Survey explained that aftershocks can occur in the same general area for days or weeks following the mainshock, which is the largest earthquake in the sequence.

Predictions and Response

The USGS earthquake hazards program shared its predictions, stating that there is a 78% chance of at least one aftershock with a magnitude of more than 3.0 occurring within the next week. However, the chances of an aftershock with a higher magnitude of 4.0 or larger are significantly lower. The USGS confirmed that a magnitude 4.8 earthquake occurred about a mile from Tewksbury, New Jersey, and was felt all over the northeast.

Local officials, including New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, confirmed that there were no major damage or injuries reported in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The Office of Emergency Management continued to monitor the situation, and communication with local governments, hospitals, and emergency management agencies remained ongoing.

Impact on New York City Schools

New York City schools were also affected by the earthquake. However, as of around 12 p.m., no injuries or major damage had been reported in the city’s schools. The city’s education department assured families that students remained safe and that school operations would continue as normal. Some schools moved recess indoors as a precaution, following the city’s emergency alert advising residents to remain indoors.

Schools Chancellor David Banks attended a press conference with other city agencies to address the situation. He confirmed that there were no indications of compromised school buildings and emphasized that operations would continue without disruption.

In conclusion, the earthquake that struck the east coast of the United States caused buildings to shake and rattled nerves. While there were no immediate reports of major destruction or fatalities, aftershocks continued to occur in New Jersey. Local officials conducted inspections to ensure the safety of buildings and infrastructure. New York City schools remained operational, with no injuries or significant damage reported.