An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 struck the East Coast of the United States on Friday morning, causing buildings to shake and rattling nerves from Maryland to Maine. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the quake was near Lebanon, New Jersey, and it occurred just before 10:30 a.m. ET.
This earthquake was the strongest recorded in the Northeast in over a decade, according to USGS records. Despite the significant magnitude, there were no immediate reports of major destruction or fatalities. Local and regional officials quickly launched inspections to ensure that buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure were not damaged.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that the quake was felt across the state, and her team was assessing any impacts or damage that may have occurred. New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated in a news briefing that there were no major injuries or infrastructure impacts reported in the city, advising residents to continue with their normal activities.
The earthquake caused temporary ground stops at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The Port Authority Transit Corp. also suspended service for inspection. While earthquakes are rare in the northeast, this event serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.