UPDATE: A minor earthquake rattled residents in New York City and New Jersey late Saturday night. The 3.0 magnitude quake struck at 10:18 p.m., with its epicenter located in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, just north of Newark.
Tremors were felt across all five boroughs of New York City, a rare occurrence for the region, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred approximately six miles below the surface and around 13 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
Officials from NYC Emergency Management confirmed the quake on social media, stating, “A magnitude 3.0 earthquake is reported to have occurred in or near New Jersey. Tremors may have been felt in parts of New York City.” They are currently monitoring the situation and coordinating with local agencies.
“Be prepared for possible aftershocks. These may follow minutes, hours, or even days after the initial quake. No immediate protective action is needed unless you experienced damage,” the agency cautioned.
While no injuries or serious damage have been reported, the agency advised residents to check for hazards such as shifted items or cracks in their homes. The unusual seismic activity has prompted responses from startled residents across social media.
Many took to X to express their confusion, with one user humorously noting, “I thought my downstairs neighbor was banging something around lol, didn’t even think earthquake.” Another resident commented, “So can we agree that none of us felt an earthquake in NYC?”
However, not everyone was dismissive. Harlem resident Bradford Billingsley recounted his experience, stating, “We both felt a sudden jolt and looked at each other and said, ‘was that an earthquake?’”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared the Emergency Management post but did not provide additional comments regarding the quake.
This tremor comes just days after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Russia, triggering tsunami warnings across California, Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, Canada, and Russia. The recent events have raised questions about seismic activity in the region.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential aftershocks in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates as officials continue to assess the situation.
