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4.0 magnitude aftershock recorded in New Jersey, USGS says
From CNN's BrandonMiller
An aftershock of a preliminary magnitude 4.0 has struck just southwest of Gladstone, New Jersey, according to the United States Geological Survey.
It happened at about 5:59 p.m. ET, USGS said.
The aftershock comes nearly 8 hours after the main shock of 4.8 magnitude this morning. There have been at least 10 aftershocks, though most were in the 1.8 to 2.2 magnitude range.
No injuries or major damage in Northeast after morning quake in New Jersey. What to know to get caught up
From CNN staff
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattled buildings across parts of the US Northeast on Friday morning, according to the US Geological Survey,with tremors felt from Washington, DC to New York City and to Maine.
It was the third-largest earthquake recorded in the area in the last five decades and the strongest in New Jersey in more than 240 years, the USGS said.But with authorities reporting little or no damage, and minimal travel disruptions, people soon resumed their everyday lives.
Here's what to know:
- New Jersey: Gov. Phil Murphy said there are limited reports of damage and "little to no injuries" in the state. The USGS recorded at least six aftershocks in the immediate area of the initial earthquake. In an area more than 30 miles from the epicenter, three neighboring homes in Newark were evacuated after residents reported structural damage, according to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé.
- New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul said there were no "life-threateningsituations" after the earthquake and no reports of damaged buildings. There was one report of a gas lineleak, but so far there's no “major” infrastructure impact, state officials said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams also said there have not been any reports of injuries and told people to "go about their normal day." Additionally, all aspects of the New York City transit system were operating safely, said Metropolitan Transport Authority CEO Janno Lieber.
- Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Police Department received "over 200 calls" from 911 "in a very short period of 20 minutes," following the earthquake, according to Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel.But, there were no injuries reported in the city, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said.
- Connecticut: State officials did not report any significant damage. Emergency management officials said their operations center was partially activated as agencies inspected key infrastructure points.
- Travel: Runways at the three main airports servicing the New York City area were inspected and cleared, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Port Authority also said there were no operational or physical impacts to the bridges and tunnels. Amtrak said its trains were running at normal speeds after restrictions were put in place for track inspections.
- Widespread impact: The shaking was felt by millions of people across hundreds of miles of the Northeast — a phenomenon made more likely by a few factors, including the geology of the region itself, according to the USGS. Rocks in the eastern US are much older, denser and harder, making them more efficient conduits of the seismic energy released by an earthquake, allowing it to travel in a more potent form over longer distances, the USGS says.
Amtrak trains resume running at normal speeds
From CNN's Pete Muntean
Amtrak trains are back to operating at normal speeds after an earthquake in New Jersey on Friday, the company said.
It said it started inspecting its tracks shortly after 11 a.m. ET, and put speed restrictions in place throughout the region. Amtrak said it has now completed those inspections.
“As of 3:30 PM ET, All inspections have been completed and service has been restored to normal speed. Residual delays should be expected,” Amtrakpostedon X.
At least 6 aftershocks recorded following New Jersey earthquake, USGS reports
From CNN’s Samantha Beech, Brandon Miller and Taylor Ward
There have been at least six aftershocks in the hours following the New Jersey earthquake Friday morning, according to United States Geological Survey data.
The initial earthquake was felt in northern New Jersey just before 10:30 a.m. ET, and the aftershocks were all recorded in the immediate area of the earthquake, USGS said.
According to USGS, the largest of the six aftershocks was 2.2 magnitude, recorded just after 1:30 p.m. ET.
Here's a timeline (all times are ET):
- 10:23 a.m.: The initial 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred
- 11:20 a.m.: 2.0 magnitude aftershock
- 11:37 a.m.: 1.8 magnitude aftershock
- 11:49 a.m.: 2.0 magnitude aftershock
- 12:31 p.m.: 1.8 magnitude aftershock
- 1:14 p.m.: 2.0 magnitude aftershock
- 1:32 p.m.: 2.2 magnitude aftershock
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a social media post that "aftershocks of these size are normal and are not expected to cause further damage."
The governor said there have been no reports of injuries or damage.
See how people in the Northeast reacted when the earthquake hit
From CNN's Jeremy Moorhead and Sean Clark
When an earthquake rattled buildings across the Northeast Friday morning, stunned residents described initially thinking a passing tractor-trailer or freight train was passing them before they realized it was something more.
There were reports of the 4.8 magnitude quake being felt from Philadelphia to New York City, according to the US Geological Survey.
See how some people reacted:
3 neighboring homes in New Jersey evacuated after reporting structural damage, offical says
From CNN’s Nic F. Anderson and David Goldman
Three neighboring homes in Newark, New Jersey, have been evacuated after residents reported structural damage following this morning’s earthquake, according to the local public safety director.
Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé told CNN no injuries have been reported after firefighters responded to reports of damage at the homes in an area more than 30 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter.
He said 10 families were relocated from the buildings, including 25 adults and three children.
Fragé added that all Newark city buildings, including City Hall and recreation centers, are closed. He said the city is inspecting buildings for any potential damage and power outages.
Also in New Jersey’s Essex County, in Montclair, officials believe the earthquake caused a water main break, according to an update from the Office of Emergency Management for the Township of Montclair. The OEM said the water bureau is working to repair the line.
The Montclair OEM said authorities have conducted a damage assessment of the township and there are no signs of damage to the infrastructure and all schools and municipal properties report no damage.
Today's earthquake was the strongest in New Jersey in more than 240 years
From CNN's Elliana Hebert, Sara Tonks and Eric Zerkel
The rare 4.8 earthquake that struck northern New Jersey Friday was the third-strongest to strike the state, according to CNN analysis of US Geological Survey data.
The Friday morning earthquake also marked the strongest since 1783, more than 240 years ago. Two 5.1 magnitude temblors are the only stronger quakes in the state — one in 1755 and another in 1783. Both happened before New Jersey became a state in December 1787, but happened in the geographic area that now comprises the state's boundaries.
The quake is the third-strongest to hit the Northeast in 50 years and the 10th-strongest of all time in the region, USGS data shows.
Earthquakes in New Jersey and the region are rare. There have only been 24 earthquakes of 2.5 magnitude or greater in New Jersey since 1700.
All aspects of New York City transit system operating safely after earthquake, MTA chief says
From CNN's SamanthaBeech
All aspects of the New York City transit system are operating safely following this morning’s earthquake, the Metropolitan Transport Authority, which runs the city's subway and other forms of public transit, said.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said every part of the transit system operated safely during the earthquake, as well.
He said initial facility inspections have been completed, including inspections of the seven bridges the MTA operate.
“I want to emphasize those were designed to withstand much stronger seismic impact than we experienced today,” he added.
According to theMTA website, MTA Bridges and Tunnels (B&T) serves more than 900,000 vehicles on an average day. In 2019, it carried more traffic than any bridge and tunnel authority in the nation — more than 329 million vehicles, the MTA says.
Lieber said MTA frontline staff have been directed to report any abnormalities in the system, but he said nothing had been flagged so far.
There's a low likelihood of aftershocks following today's quake, New York City's emergency chief says
From CNN staff
There is a low likelihood of aftershocks following Friday's 4.8 magnitude earthquake that rattled several Northeast cities, New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zachary Iscol said.
Iscol, however, urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant.
“If you are outside during an aftershock, please move to an open area, away from buildings, trees and power lines. If you are driving, pull over to a safe location," he said at a news conference Friday alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Iscol said there were no major impacts or safety events related to the earthquake, and added that New Yorkers can call 311 to report any damage.
The quake, he said, triggered the activation of the city's emergency response teams and prompted officials to issue guidance to the public.
“We activated our protocols for this earthquake, we immediately began coordinating with all city, state, federal and our utility partners. Public notifications were sent out both by Notify NYC and our wireless emergency alert system,” he said.
