4.8-magnitude earthquake rattles New York City, northeast US, geologists say

Tanasia Kenney
·2 min read
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A 4.8-magnitude earthquake jolted parts of New York City and the northeast U.S., the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The nearly 3-mile deep quake hit about 4 miles north from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey at about 10:20 a.m. Friday, April 5, according to the USGS.

More than 120,000 people from as far away as New Haven, Connecticut, reported feeling the tremor to the agency within an hour after.

A 2.2-magnitude earthquake and another 2.0-magnitude quake, possibly aftershocks, struck nearby hours later, seismologists say.

These aren’t the first earthquakes to shake the area recently. A minor 2.2-magnitude earthquake rattled the Whitehouse Station area March 14, hitting 5.5 miles below the surface, USGS records show. Dozens of people reported feeling it.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the April 5 quake on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The tremor also sparked several social media reactions.

What to know about earthquakes

Magnitude replaces the old Richter scale and measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt, though they rarely cause serious damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes that measure below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can strike anywhere, but are most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

  • If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

  • If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

  • If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.

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