New Jersey Earthquake Shakes New York Area

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A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, on Saturday night, briefly shaking parts of the New York City metro area. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the tremor occurred at 10:18 p.m. Eastern Time.

According to USGS geophysicist Jonathan Tytell, the quake originated at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. Despite the shallow depth, there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.

Tremors were felt in parts of New York City, but the overall impact remained limited. NYC Emergency Management confirmed that no significant disruptions followed the quake, though residents were encouraged to check their surroundings for minor hazards, such as shifted furniture or falling objects.

Officials have advised that minor aftershocks, potentially around magnitude 1.0, could occur in the coming days. However, experts consider it unlikely that this event is a precursor to a larger quake or an aftershock of the stronger 4.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the region in April 2024.

“This was substantially less life-threatening than the major 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia earlier this year,” Tytell noted, referencing a separate global event that triggered tsunami warnings along the U.S. coast.

In a lighthearted response, the Empire State Building posted on social media to assure the public it remained unaffected, stating simply: “I AM FINE.”

Emergency services continue to monitor the area but have issued no alerts beyond standard precautionary guidance.