Did you feel it? A minor earthquake, measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale, rattled northern New Jersey and sent tremors through parts of the New York City metropolitan area on Tuesday. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake struck near Hillsdale, NJ, at 12:11 p.m. ET.
Widespread Shaking Reported
Despite its relatively low magnitude, the earthquake was felt by dozens of people from Staten Island to southwestern Connecticut. Reports flooded into the USGS from residents who experienced weak or light shaking.
Shallow Depth Amplified the Impact
The USGS indicated the earthquake originated approximately 8 miles below the Earth's surface. This shallow depth likely contributed to the widespread sensation of shaking, even though the quake itself was not particularly strong.
Interestingly, the geology of the eastern US also plays a role in how seismic energy travels. The rocks in this region are older, denser, and harder compared to those in the western US. This allows seismic waves to travel more efficiently and potentially over longer distances.
Hillsdale, the epicenter of the quake, is located about 25 miles northwest of Manhattan. While no damage has been reported, the event serves as a reminder that even the densely populated Northeast is not immune to seismic activity. This marks the second time in three days that parts of New York City have experienced tremors from a New Jersey earthquake.
Stay tuned to NewsRpt.com for further updates on this developing story.