According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck the New York City and northern New Jersey area on the evening of August 2nd at 10:18 PM Eastern Time. The epicenter was located in Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County, New Jersey, with a depth of about 6.2 miles (approximately 10 kilometers). Despite being a relatively mild earthquake, residents in multiple areas including New York City and parts of Connecticut reported feeling the tremors.
USGS statistics show that the earthquake affected several locations in northern New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island in New York City, as well as southern Connecticut cities like Norwalk, Danbury, and Stamford. Many residents took to social media to describe hearing a “heavy impact sound” followed by a brief shaking lasting about 1 to 3 seconds.
Seismologists in the United States pointed out that this event is considered an “intraplate earthquake”. Although the magnitude was not high, due to the solid structure of the crust on the East Coast of the US, the seismic waves traveled far and areas several tens of kilometers away from the epicenter could still feel the shaking. Experts also noted that this event was not an aftershock of the 4.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred in New Jersey last April, with the two epicenters roughly 37 miles apart.
No casualties or reports of property damage have been reported so far. Both the emergency response departments of New York City and New Jersey have not received any major disaster reports. The iconic Empire State Building in New York City even humorously posted on social media: “I AM FINE”.
The USGS reminds the public to be prepared for possible aftershocks in the coming days. While the probability of a strong aftershock is low, it is advisable for people to remain vigilant. If there are signs like cracks on walls or falling objects at home, individuals should report it immediately to the local authorities for inspection.
This earthquake serves as a reminder for residents in East Coast cities to always be prepared for disasters, despite the relatively low frequency of earthquake activities. This preparation includes securing furniture, understanding earthquake safety measures, and having emergency contact information to reduce the risks during a disaster.