A rare 4.8-magnitude earthquake was felt across the East Coast on the morning of April 5, officials said.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered near Lebanon, New Jersey. Theearthquake struckjust before 10:30 a.m. local time. Hours later, New Jersey and New York Cityfelt a 4.0 magnitude aftershock, which struck about 7km (4.3 miles) southwest of Gladstone, N.J., per theU.S. Geological Survey.
The shaking was felt as far north as Maine and as far south as Norfolk, Virginia, the USGS reported, perUSA Today. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spanosaid on X(formerly known as Twitter) that City Hall shook but “everyone here is fine.”
The Fire Department of the City of New Yorksaid in a post on Xthat there were “no major incidents at this time," but they were “responding to calls and evaluating structural stability.”
Around 11 a.m. ET, emergency phone alerts stated, “A 4.7-magnitude earthquake has occurred in the NYC area. Residents are advised to remain indoors and to call 911 if injured.”
Initially, the USGS reported a 4.8-magnitude quake, according toCNN. It was then adjusted to 4.7 before being revised back to 4.8. The agencysaidearthquakes are “uncommon but not unheard of along the Atlantic Coast.”
Citing state data,NBC Newsreported that the earthquake was the strongest in the state in almost 250 years. It was also the strongest earthquake to strike the East Coast since a 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit Virginia in 2011.
The USGS said “a few minor aftershocks” have been reported, including the largest with a magnitude of 2.2 near the initial earthquake’s epicenter, according toThe New York Times.
The New York City skyline.Getty Images
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a news conference, perCBS News, that while there are concerns about aftershocks, “New Yorkers should go about their normal day. First responders are working to make sure the city’s safe.”
“A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York," New York Gov. Kathy Hochulshared in a statement on Xearlier in the day. “My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphyadded in a separate postthat the state has activated its State Emergency Operations Center. “Please do not call 911 unless you have an actual emergency.”
President Joe Biden had been briefed on the quake, and “he is in touch with his team who are monitoring potential impacts,” White House press secretaryKarine Jean-Pierresaid in a post onX.
Biden, who spoke with Murphy, told reporters that the governor thought “everything’s under control,” according toUSA Today. He added, “He’s not too concerned about it, the governor of New Jersey, so things are all right.”
Meanwhile, the quake impacted travel in New York City and New Jersey. Flights in the New York metro area were temporarily grounded, and the Holland Tunnel was closed for inspection, according to theNew York Post. The temporary groundings at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport in New Jersey resulted in delays of up to 45 minutes,The New York Timesreported.
Broadway shows are expected to go on as normal, the Broadway League announced onX. “Audiences may contact their point of purchase for their show if they have questions about their tickets in advance of the performance,” the League added in their statement.
Stars likeBusy Philippsand Oscar-winnerJessica Chastainreported feeling the earthquake onXtoo. “This is really nuts. Hope everyone is ok and that our buildings weren’t damaged 🤍,” Chastain wrote.
source: people.com
