New York City and its surrounding area experienced a series of seismic events on Friday, with a significant earthquake followed by multiple aftershocks. The initial quake, measuring 4.8 magnitude, struck around 40 miles west of New York City in Readington Township, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m. It was one of the largest earthquakes to hit the region in a century, causing walls to shake and shelves to rattle throughout the Tri-State Area and as far away as Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Shortly after the initial earthquake, a 3.8 magnitude aftershock hit near Gladstone, New Jersey, located 37 miles west of New York City. This aftershock, striking 9.7 kilometers deep, was felt as far as Long Island, prompting reports of houses shaking. Throughout the day, several smaller aftershocks, ranging from 1.8 to 2.0 magnitude, followed the initial seismic activity.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul assured the public that there were no immediate reports of significant damage from the seismic events. She emphasized the importance of taking the earthquakes seriously due to the potential for aftershocks, noting that this event was one of the largest earthquakes to occur on the East Coast in the last century.
In response to the seismic events, emergency protocols were activated across New York City and New Jersey. Governor Hochul initiated a damage assessment, collaborating with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. While there were no major impacts reported in New York City, officials conducted inspections of infrastructure, including bridges, tunnels, and subway tunnels, to ensure safety.
Mayor Eric Adams encouraged New Yorkers to continue with their normal activities but remain vigilant for potential aftershocks. He emphasized the importance of preparedness and encouraged residents to have emergency supplies on hand and a family plan in place. Despite temporary ground stops at airports and slight delays in transit services for inspections, both Amtrak and MTA services continued on their full schedule.
The seismic events stirred up a range of emotions among residents, with some expressing fear and concern while others shared stories of resilience and community support. The series of earthquakes served as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity, prompting calls for preparedness and awareness moving forward.