2024 New Jersey earthquake facts for kids
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| UTC time | 2024-04-05 14:23:20 |
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| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | April 5, 2024 |
| Local time | 10:23 AM |
| Magnitude | ML 4.8 |
| Depth | 4.7 kilometers (2.9 mi) |
| Epicenter | Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, U.S. 40°40′59″N 74°45′11″W / 40.683°N 74.753°W |
| Areas affected | Northeastern United States |
| Max. intensity | VI (Strong) |
| Aftershocks | Mw2.0 |
| Casualties | 0 |
On April 5, 2024, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake happened in New Jersey. People felt it across the New York City and Philadelphia areas. It was also felt in other parts of the northeastern United States. Luckily, it caused only minor impacts. No major damage was reported in New York or New Jersey.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said this earthquake was the third strongest to affect the New York region ever recorded. It was the strongest earthquake to hit New Jersey and the New York area since a 5.3 magnitude earthquake in 1783.
What Happened?
The earthquake had a strength, or moment magnitude, of 4.8. It happened about 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) deep underground. The center of the earthquake, called the epicenter, was in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey. This is about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) north of Oldwick. It was also about 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Lebanon. The earthquake happened along the Ramapo Fault.
The shaking was strongest in parts of Hunterdon and Somerset counties. This included cities like Somerville, Bedminster, and Bridgewater. People felt the tremors all across the Northeastern United States. This stretched from Maryland all the way to Maine.
About an hour later, a smaller earthquake, called an aftershock, happened. It had a magnitude of 2.0. This aftershock took place near Bedminster, New Jersey. The USGS said there was a 46% chance of another aftershock with a magnitude of 3 or higher within a week.
How Did It Affect People?
Many buildings in New York City, Philadelphia, and Long Island shook. The USGS estimated that over 42 million people felt the earthquake.
The shaking interrupted a meeting of the Security Council at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan. Also, a performance at the New York Philharmonic was briefly stopped. This happened when cell phones sounded an earthquake alert. The alert was sent about 40 minutes after the earthquake was felt. A gas leak was reported in Rockland County, New York.
See also
- Earthquake activity in the New York City area
- List of earthquakes in the United States
