On Saturday night, August 2, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake jolted New Jersey and could be felt in some areas of New York City, according to information from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The epicenter of this tremor was located in Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County, happening shortly after 10:15 PM Eastern Time, as stated by the USGS.
Located approximately 15 miles northwest of NYC, those reports indicated that the earthquake lasted just a few seconds. According to USGS, some residents in the city also experienced the tremor.
As of noon on Sunday, August 3, local emergency officials had not reported any injuries or damage from the quake, although they advised residents in the vicinity to stay vigilant in case of aftershocks.
Details About the Earthquake’s Depth
The USGS analysis found that this earthquake occurred nearly 10 miles beneath the Earth’s surface.
By early Sunday morning, August 3, NYC Emergency Management reported via their platform that there were no significant disruptions due to the quake. They stated that the tremor may have been noticed by residents of certain parts of the city.
“No issues affecting utility services, transport, or city infrastructure have been reported, and regular operations are continuing as expected,” the agency mentioned. While further developments might arise, the overall fallout from this earthquake seems minimal.
New Yorkers were reminded to remain prepared for possible aftershocks, some of which could follow after a few seconds up to days after the initial event. In their post, the city agency advised, “If you feel any shaking, drop to the ground and take cover under something solid.”
Understanding Earthquake Magnitudes
If you’re curious about earthquake magnitudes and their impact, you can check this informative scale from Michigan Technological University:
- Below 2.5: Generally not noticeable
- 2.5 to 5.4: Minor or no damage
- 5.5 to 6.0: Some structural damage
- 6.1 to 6.9: Major damage
- 7.0 to 7.9: Severe quake, significant damage
- 8.0 and above: Widespread destruction
Earthquake Frequency in the U.S.
In the United States, approximately 63 earthquakes are recorded annually, according to USGS. They also estimate that around 20,000 earthquakes occur globally each year (about 55 per day).
Recent and Upcoming Tremors
This earthquake in New Jersey follows another significant tremor that struck Southern California just two days earlier, on Thursday, July 31. A preliminary magnitude 4.3 quake hit in the Inland Empire near Muscoy, San Bernardino County, reported around 9:30 AM local time, accompanied by smaller quakes in the range of 2.8 to 3.1 magnitude.
No significant damage or injuries were recorded in California as well.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow on X @nataliealund.
Original article from USA TODAY: 3.0 Magnitude Tremor Shakes New Jersey, Felt in NYC.
