4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks NJ, PA, NYC

NEW JERSEY - A "notable" earthquake and several aftershocks rocked the east coast Friday, federal officials said.

The initial magnitude 4.8 earthquake was detected about 10:23 a.m. with an epicenter near Lebanon, New Jersey, according to the United States Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes. A magnitude 2.0 earthquake was detected about seven miles west of Bedminster, New Jersey at noon. Read more: Second Earthquake Hits NJ

New Jersey's State Emergency Operations Center has been activated, which will allow for 24-hour agency staffing to coordinate response and recovery operations, Gov. Phil Murphy said. There is no risk of a tsunami from the quake, according to the United States Tsunami Warning System.

Transit Impacts

Flights out of local airports were temporarily grounded and local mass transit in New York City is running "as normal," Manhattan Borough President Mark D. Levine said. Read more: Flight Disruptions At Newark Airport After Earthquake Shakes NJ

NJ Transit said the quake caused system-wide delays on its train and light rail lines. As of 2:14 p.m., rail service is operating on or close to schedule in both directions. Read more: Earthquake Causes NJ Transit Train Delays, Bridge Inspections

Amtrak is currently inspecting tracks and restricting train speeds until the inspections are completed.

Rail service system-wide is operating on or close to schedule in both directions with residual delays to trains already enroute due to bridge inspections following an earlier earthquake.
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) April 5, 2024

Damage Assessments Ongoing

Minimal damage stemming from Friday's quake has been reported. That is, except for Newark, where several homes were apparently left unstable and “leaning” in the wake of the quake. Read more: Several Homes Seen 'Leaning' In Newark After Earthquake: Reports

Multiple houses on 3rd Street and 7th Avenue were reportedly deemed unsafe by city officials, who closed off the road with police tape and barrier. A resident said he and his neighbors had to evacuate their homes, News 12 reported.

No impacts to the Garden State's utility infrastructure or the grid have been reported, the NJ Board of Public Utilities said.

In a statement via X (formerly Twitter), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said officials are "assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day." As of 11 a.m., the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said there have been no reports of widespread damage. Read more: No Damage Reported From 'Largest' Earthquake That Hit NYC Friday

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro similarly noted the potential damage in his state is still being assessed.

Patch Readers Share Their Stories

The shaking began about 10:23 a.m. and lasted for approximately 30 seconds, according to reports. The quake was felt as far as New York City and Philadelphia to Albany and Wilmington.

Patch readers from Morris County, New Jersey to Suffolk County in New York described items falling off shelves and spooked animals. Others reported gas odors and fire alarm activations following the earthquake. Read more: Fire Alarms Ring, Gas Odors Reported In Hillsborough After Earthquake

One Hilltown, Pennsylvania resident said she believed the rumbling was a helicopter "flying extremely low or about to crash as the windows ... were rattling like never ever before," she said. "I was actually expecting to see a mangled helicopter."

In an email to Patch, one first grade teacher from Maplewood, New Jersey recounted her classroom's experience:

"Around 10:30 we heard a rumbling and there was a shaking vibration," she said. "The kids were asking what it was and we thought it was some sort of construction going on, may-be drilling. One girl who used to live in California said she thought it was an earthquake but we all said no way, including myself ... I couldn't believe it was actually an earthquake."

Schools in Bucks and Montgomery counties in the Keystone State are operating under a regular schedule following the quake, Patch reported. In New Jersey, Chester schools are under a shelter-in-place as of 10:40 a.m. Read more: Earthquake Prompts Shelter-In-Place For Chester Schools

Our region just experienced an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7, with an epicenter near Readington in Hunterdon County.

We have activated our State Emergency Operations Center. Please do not call 911 unless you have an actual emergency. https://t.co/Szt5fWyIs9
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 5, 2024

Aftershocks Possible

Three more aftershocks ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 magnitude were reported near Morris, Hunterdon and Somerset counties between about 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., the USGS said.

"According to our forecast, there is a 1% chance of one or more aftershocks that are larger than magnitude 5, which can be damaging, within the next week," the USGS said in a statement. "There will likely be smaller aftershocks within the next week, with up to 10 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned New Yorkers of potential aftershocks, instructing city dwellers to "drop to the floor, cover your head and neck, and take cover under a solid piece of furniture, next to an interior wall, or in a doorway" in the event of an emergency.

The USGS recommends individuals to remain indoors during an earthquake and steer clear of windows, kitchens, fireplaces and heavy furniture.

If you are outside, get away from buildings, power lines or any other structures that could fall. If you are driving, carefully stop and stay away from bridges, overpasses, light posts and power lines. When the shaking stops, watch for breaks in the pavement or falling debris.

'Near Record-Breaking'

Friday's 4.8 magnitude earthquake was "near record-breaking," with only seven recorded earthquakes over a magnitude of 2.5 or higher in the region since 1957, according to The New York Times.

There have been four historic earthquakes that caused damage in the Garden State, according to official state records. Those earthquakes happened in 1737, 1783, 1884 and 1927. The 1783 quake, which had an epicenter in Rockaway Township, still holds the record for the strongest quake in the state at a 5.3 magnitude.

Did you experience Friday morning’s quaking? Email this reporter at nicole.rosenthal@patch.com to share your story.