Minor Earthquake Shakes New York Metro Area, No Damage Reported

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A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, on Saturday evening, briefly rattling the New York metropolitan area. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the tremor occurred at 10:18 p.m. Eastern Time and was shallow in depth, measuring approximately 10 kilometers beneath the surface.

According to USGS geophysicist Jonathan Tytell, there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage. He described the event as low-risk, especially when compared to major global quakes. “It is substantially less life-threatening than the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia that prompted tsunami warnings,” Tytell stated.

New York City Emergency Management acknowledged the incident on its official social media account, advising residents to remain cautious in the aftermath. The agency noted that while no serious impact was reported, minor tremors may have been felt in parts of the city. Officials urged the public to check for potential household hazards, such as fallen objects, dislodged fixtures, or surface cracks.

Tytell added that aftershocks around magnitude 1.0 could follow the main event, occurring within minutes, hours, or even days. However, he stated it is unlikely that this quake signals a larger seismic event. He also clarified that Saturday’s quake does not appear to be an aftershock of the 4.8 magnitude earthquake recorded in the region in April 2024.

While earthquakes of this size are not uncommon on the East Coast, they rarely cause significant damage. The shallow depth of this event, however, likely contributed to its detectability across a wider area. The USGS continues to monitor seismic activity in the region, but for now, no further action is required from the public beyond standard caution.

Residents are encouraged to remain aware and report any signs of structural changes or unusual movement following the quake. No emergency measures have been enacted at this time.