Early Friday morning, the northeastern United States experienced an unusual seismic event as an earthquake rattled the region, causing tremors to be felt across a vast area spanning from New York City to Boston. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake registered a magnitude of 4.8 and was centered 7 kilometers north of Whitehouse Station, N.J., approximately 50 miles west of New York City, with a depth of 4.7 kilometers.
While there were no initial reports of damage or injuries, the quake prompted various disruptions and precautionary measures. Ground stops were enforced at several airports, including Newark, JFK, and BWI Airport in Maryland, while New Jersey Transit announced rail service delays of up to 20 minutes in both directions for bridge inspections.
Despite the quake's intensity, there were no immediate service disruptions to Amtrak or the NYC subway system. However, residents across New York City took to social media to recount their experiences, with many reporting shaking apartments reminiscent of passing subway trains.
Anne-Marie Greene, an anchor for CBS News, described the sensation, stating, "It felt like a subway train was passing through the studio." MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell also shared his experience, noting, "That was my 2nd Manhattan earthquake & longer than any earthquake I’ve experienced in LA."
Officials swiftly responded to the seismic event, with New York City Mayor Eric Adams's office providing updates on the situation. Mayor Adams was briefed on the earthquake, and while there were no reports of major impacts, assessments were ongoing. The city issued emergency alerts to residents, warning of potential aftershocks.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy activated emergency response centers to assess infrastructure and potential damage. Governor Hochul, in communication with the White House, described the day as "fairly unsettling." Governor Murphy urged residents to refrain from calling 911 unless faced with actual emergencies.
While earthquakes are uncommon along the Atlantic Coast, the magnitude 4.8 quake marked the strongest to hit New Jersey in nearly 250 years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The event occurred just days after a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, underscoring the unpredictability of seismic activity across the globe.
