Crime & Safety
Earthquake Shakes Up Somerset County On Friday
A total of 153 people reported feeling shaking from the earthquake.
GLADSTONE, NJ — Another earthquake has rattled Central Jersey. This time it was a 1.8 magnitude earthquake on Friday.
The United States Geological Survey(USGS) said the quake struck around 4:22 p.m. about 5 km west-southwest of Gladstone in Somerset County.
The quake reportedly happened 7.2 kilometers underground, according to the USGS, which monitors earthquakes worldwide.
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The earthquake is considered a Level III earthquake on the USGS' Modified Mercalli Intensity value with light shaking.
"Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck," the USGS described the earthquake.
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A total of 153 people reported feeling shaking from the earthquake.
Multiple earthquakes have been reported recently in the Central and North Jersey area.
The last time an earthquake was recorded in the Hunterdon County area was on Oct. 20, when a 1.6 magnitude earthquake was reported about 2 km east-northeast of Califon.
On Aug. 12, a 1.2 magnitude earthquake was reported 6 kilometers northeast of Lebanon.
On Aug. 5, a 2.7 magnitude earthquake was reported in Bergen County and was centered southwest of Hillsdale.
A 0.4 magnitude earthquake was also reported 6 kilometers east southeast of Califon on Aug. 4.
On Aug. 2, a 3.0 magnitude earthquake was centered at Hasbrouck Heights, in Bergen County.
Earthquakes are less common on the eastern than western edges of the United States because the East Coast does not lie on a boundary of tectonic plates. But 13 earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or stronger have been recorded since 1950 within 311 miles of April 5's temblor, the USGS said.
The strongest was a 5.8-magnitude quake in Mineral, Virginia, on Aug. 23, 2011, that jolted people from Georgia to Canada.
Did you feel Friday's aftershock? Report it to the USGS for tracking purposes.
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
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