(WHTM/NEXSTAR) – A “notable” earthquake was recorded near Lebanon, New Jersey, on Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey, with rumblings felt throughout the Northeast.
The quake also shook the New York City metropolitan area, though officials said there were no initial reports of damage.
“While we do not have any reports of major impacts at this time, we’re still assessing the impact,” a spokesperson for NYC Mayor Eric Adams said Friday.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake, which took place at 10:23 a.m., had a magnitude of 4.8. The reading was recorded north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey — around 45 miles west of New York City and 50 miles north of Philadelphia.
A map by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the earthquake’s epicenter just north of Whitehouse, New Jersey, around 45 miles west of New York City. (USGS)
People in upstate New York, Baltimore, Connecticut and other areas of the East Coast unaccustomed to earthquakes also reported feeling the ground shake. Tremors lasting for several seconds were felt over 200 miles away near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, at a press conference Friday morning, said state officials were still assessing any impacts the quake may have had on bridges, roads, gas lines, vulnerable structures or telecommunications operations, but an official said only one gas leak was reported in Rockland County. No other “life-threatening situations” had been identified, Hochul said.
She was also in communication with the White House amid the ongoing assessments.
“It’s been an unsettling day to say the least,” Hochul added.
The Federal Aviation Administration also warned of possible disruptions at airports in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore, but said “air traffic operations are resuming as quickly as possible.” Hochul confirmed Friday morning that JFK airport in New York City and the Newark airport in New Jersey were under full ground stops in the event of possible aftershocks. LaGuardia, which has more “updated” infrastructure, was not, Hochul said.
There is no risk of a tsunami from this earthquake according to the United States Tsunami Warning System.
Officials say anyone who observes structural damage or smells natural gas following an earthquake is advised to leave the area and call 911.
According to the State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the largest earthquake felt in New Jersey happened in 1783 and was a 5.3 magnitude quake. It was reported west of New York City and was felt from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania.
The Friday quake also stirred memories of the Aug. 23, 2011, earthquake that jolted tens of millions of people from Georgia to Canada. Registering magnitude 5.8, it was the strongest quake to hit the East Coast since World War II. The epicenter was in Virginia.
That earthquake left cracks in the Washington Monument, spurred the evacuation of the White House and Capitol and rattled New Yorkers three weeks before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
