UPDATE: Earthquake, Aftershocks Rock Bloomfield (What To Know)

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

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. A series of aftershocks followed, including a 4.0 magnitude aftershock around 6 p.m.

"We are aware of an earthquake that just recently occurred," the Bloomfield Police Department stated in the wake of the tremors. "Please do not call 9-1-1 asking if there was an earthquake unless you are injured or there is an immediate need for police, fire or EMS."

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:

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

This article contains reporting from Nicole Rosenthal, Patch staff

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