Magnitude 4.8 earthquake hits New York region, leaving residents surprised and scared

The epicenter of the tremor was located in New Jersey, about 64 kilometers from New York, but it was also noticeable in the cities of Philadelphia and Boston. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or casualties.

Image provided by the US Geological Survey shows the epicenter of an earthquake off the east coast of the US this Friday - Photo Reproduction/AP

An unusual occurrence surprised residents of New York City, United States, this Friday (05). An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale shook the region. Although not extremely high in magnitude, the tremor caused buildings to sway on the East Coast, The earthquake caused surprise among the inhabitants from a region that rarely experiences notable seismic activity. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was identified near the city of Lebanon, located in the state of New Jersey and approximately 64 kilometers west of New York City. The tremor was also noticed in the cities of Philadelphia and Boston.

What is Known So Far?

According to the USGS, responsible for monitoring earthquakes in the United States and around the world, It is relatively common for tremors to occur in New York, but the magnitude observed this Friday is exceptionally rare. According to the institution, the seismic event occurred at 10:28 am local time (11:28 am Brasília time) and had a depth of 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) below the earth's surface, a measurement considered quite low, which could increase the intensity of the tremor.

No significant damage was recorded, however, during a press conference, New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned of the possibility of aftershocks. Engineering teams are currently conducting inspections of roads and bridges. "This is one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century," she said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, also during a press conference, stated that there were no reports of injuries, but urged residents to take shelter under furniture, on doors or near internal walls, if you notice any replicas.

Landings and takeoffs at Newark Airport, in New York, were suspended as announced by the United States Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). Meanwhile, John F. Kennedy Airport, in the same city, had its operations temporarily interrupted, however, according to information also from the FAA, flights were resumed. In a statement from the White House, it was announced that President Joe Biden spoke with the governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, regarding the earthquake that occurred, and that the government is ready to provide assistance, if necessary.

Reports from residents describe a feeling of moderate shaking, with objects on shelves shaking and furniture moving noticeably. Many residents expressed shock at the experience, as earthquakes of this magnitude are rare in this part of the country.

Lebanon, New Jersey Mayor James Pittinger reported its proximity to the earthquake's epicenter, noting that no injuries or significant damage were reported, however, highlighted people’s nervous state. "I was in my home office when objects started falling off the walls and shelves," Pittinger shared. "It was an intense experience."

Charita Walcott, a 38-year-old resident of the Bronx neighborhood in New York, told the Reuters news agency that the earthquake was perceived as "a violent rumble that continued for about 30 seconds or more." She compared the sensation to being in the middle of a drum circle, feeling that intense vibration.

Historical context

The tremor that occurred this Friday was the most significant felt in the city since the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred in 2011 in Virginia. This event triggered evacuations at City Hall and other buildings, resulting in damage throughout Washington. It is important to highlight that earthquake magnitudes are measured on a logarithmic scale, which implies that the amount of energy released increases by more than 30 times for each unit increment on the scale. For example, the 1989 earthquake that interrupted the baseball World Series and caused unrest in San Francisco was recorded at a magnitude of 6.9, making it more than 1,000 times more powerful than the tremor felt on Friday.

A notable feature of earthquakes in the eastern US is that they are perceived over a much wider area compared to those in the west. This is due to the fact that the rocks in the eastern region are older and harder, facilitating the transfer of seismic energy. On the other hand, the rocks in the west are younger and have more faults, which absorb some of the energy from earthquakes. These geological differences contribute to variations in the intensity and perception of tremors in different regions of the United States, as noted by the USGS.