UPDATE: Earthquake, Aftershocks Rock The Caldwells (What To Know)

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

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.

The Caldwell Police Department issued a statement about the situation at 10:37 a.m.: "We are aware that there was just an earthquake. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency. The non emergency number is 973-226-2600."

The West Caldwell Police Department also released an advisory in the wake of the quake:

"The West Caldwell Police Department is aware of the ground shaking from what may have been an earthquake in the area. We currently have no reported emergencies as a result of this incident. We are receiving many non-emergency calls into dispatch inquiring about the event. Please refrain from calling our police dispatch unless you are in need of police, fire EMS assistance so we can allow for emergency calls to be routed properly."

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

This article contains reporting from Nicole Rosenthal, Patch staff

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