Earthquake Shakes Up Nutley: No Damage Or Injuries, Authorities Say

NUTLEY, NJ — An earthquake and several aftershocks rocked the East Coast on Friday, and yes – they were felt in Nutley.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was detected with an epicenter seven kilometers north northeast of Whitehouse Station in New Jersey, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which monitors earthquakes. See Related: Earthquake Rocks NJ, PA, NYC

Reports of buildings shaking began about 10:30 a.m. and lasted for approximately 30 seconds. The shaking was felt as far as New York City and Philadelphia, according to reports. A series of aftershocks followed, including a 4.0 magnitude aftershock around 6 p.m.

Nutley Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo confirmed that the township experienced an earthquake around 10:21 a.m.

Strumolo said the Nutley 911 control center fielded dozens of calls from concerned citizens inquiring as to its impact. At this time, there isn't physical or structural damage and no reports of injuries, he said Friday afternoon.

Petracco said officials are monitoring Friday's seismic events closely and keeping in contact with state authorities.

Nearby in Essex County, a first grade teacher from Maplewood recounted her classroom's experience.

“Around 10:30 we heard a rumbling and there was a shaking vibration,” she told Patch in an email. “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.”

Earthquakes in the eastern United States are infrequent – but not unexpected, the USGS says. Since 1950, there have been 40 other earthquakes of magnitude 3 or higher within 250 kilometers of Friday’s earthquake. See Related: Here's What Caused Earthquake That Shook NJ, Experts Say

Here’s what happened in some other towns across Essex County:

• Bloomfield
• Caldwells
• Livingston
• Maplewood
• Millburn
• Montclair
• Newark
• West Orange

This article contains reporting from Nicole Rosenthal, Patch staff

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