LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — As thousands turn to social media to compare notes on what Gov. Kathy Hochul called “one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century,” experts are now explaining what caused the event.
According to the United States Geological Survey, or USGS, Friday's magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Whitehouse Station, NJ, “occurred as a result of oblique reverse and slip on faults at shallow depths in the crust. Although this event did not occur nearby While this earthquake is relatively small worldwide, earthquakes of this magnitude are widely felt in the eastern United States due to the efficient propagation of seismic waves in the region.”
Earthquakes in the eastern US are rare — but not unexpected, the USGS said, adding that since 1950, 40 other quakes of magnitude 3 or greater have occurred within 250 kilometers of Friday's quake.
“In this time range, the April 5, 2024 earthquake is the largest. Within 500 km of the April 5 earthquake, 13 earthquakes, M 4.5 and larger, have been recorded since 1950, the largest being the August 23, 2011, M 5.8 Mineral, VA earthquake that caused significant damage and was felt throughout the eastern United States.”
Friday's earthquake occurred in an area where faults have previously been identified and could be reactivated at any time, the USGS said.
Residents expressed shock, repeating the statement “The house shook” after the quake — and New York sent out aftershock warnings.
