A 3.0-magnitude earthquake struck northern New Jersey on Saturday night, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake jolted residents in the area, with tremors felt in nearby areas including New York City. Some reported shaking of the ground and the shaking of objects such as tables.
The epicenter of the quake was in Hasbrouck Heights, near Teterboro Airport. Small earthquakes like this occur there every year, but they are usually not felt very strongly. Officials said there were no reports of damage or injuries.
The quake struck at 10:18 p.m. Saturday in New Jersey. People in nearby areas felt the earth shaking suddenly. The tremors were felt as far away as Brooklyn, Westchester County and as far away as Connecticut. People at home were scared and suspected it was a natural disaster, especially since it was nighttime. But it was a small earthquake and there was no damage.
No Damage
The city’s Department of Emergency Management reported that there were no reports of damage or injuries despite the earthquake in New York City. However, people who felt the tremors were asked to check their homes for fallen objects or damaged power lines and pipes for safety.
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The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, which is located in Hasbrouck Heights, the epicenter of the earthquake, also reported no major damage. Therefore, this is not an earthquake that people should panic about. However, it can be said that people should be cautious.
People are Confused: No Major Damage
Many people suddenly felt a brief tremor throughout northern New Jersey. The tremor was so sudden that people were worried on social media and in housing groups. Some suspected it was a gas line burst or a large tree falling.
Bradford Billingsley, who lives on 129th Street in New York City, said he was watching TV with a friend when the table in his house shook, and then they looked at each other and asked, “Is that an earthquake?” It is normal for the New York and New Jersey areas to experience several small earthquakes a year.
But most earthquakes are so mild that people often don’t even realize they have happened. Experts say that earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 are not uncommon in this area, but they are unlikely to cause much damage. Therefore, it is better for people to remain calm and not panic.
What to Do During an Earthquake
The US FEMA organization points out the main steps to follow when an earthquake occurs. That is, immediately drop to the ground, hide in a safe place such as a table, and do not move from there. After the earthquake is over, you should check your home for broken pipes, electrical wires, building cracks, etc. You should also pay attention to gas pipe leaks. It is said that these steps should always be followed, whether it is a minor earthquake or a major earthquake.
Last Year’s Major Earthquake
The previous major earthquake in this area occurred in April 2024. At that time, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook New York City strongly. At that time, the ground shook so much that people ran out of their homes in fear. The tremors of that earthquake were felt in many areas from Philadelphia to Boston. The memory of that event is still fresh in people’s minds. Compared to that, the current earthquake is very mild.
