An earthquake tremor was recorded near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, on Saturday Night at 10:18 PM. It registered a 3.0 magnitude on the Richter scale. Additionally, it was surveyed to occur at 6 miles deep, enough to cause a rumble supapable across the region. It felt like a sudden “bang” followed by a brief shake. A few seconds of tremor was felt across the Tri-States.
How Strong was it and Where was it Felt?
Headquarters mention the earthquake sited the tremor would be felt in Hasbrouck Heights, Nutley and nearby regions. One of the residents even mentioned “it sounded like a car hitting the side of the house”.
Same is the observation by residents of the New York City. Reports are comming in from Upper Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Westchester. The symptoms are the same and residents are complaining of a sudden and brief shake followed by a rattle and few moments of calm. Spread of Symptoms and Description.
As reported symptoms and the duration varied. Some residents reported a rattle while others reported a deep rumble. The duration too was varied. It was mentioned by the residents to be surprising and unsettling but no moreover violent in nature.
Why is this Quake Signficant?
The East coast of the USA is home to innumerable faults. The country as a whole is not the region east coast with not just two but innumerable faults.
An earthquake of approximately a 4.8 magnitude occurred near Tewksbury, NJ in April of 2024. While it shook millions, the damage sustained was negligible. The more recent 3.0 quake may have been weaker, but it was still more widely felt than its predecessor.
Quakes in the eastern United States affect larger areas than those in the West Coast, even when of the same magnitude. This difference is attributed to the underlying geology.
What Are Experts Saying?
Officials from USGS and the emergency services have confirmed the following:
- Light shaking is expected with a 3.0 magnitude quake.
- While infrequent, earthquakes on the East Coast, in this case, could be followed by aftershocks.
- Residents are asked to look for the minor issues such as: cracks on the walls, shifted furniture, and other such anomalies to report them through the appropriate services (for example, 311 in NYC/NJ).
What Should You Do Now?
- Check your homes for voids where furniture used to be, falling glass, or cracks.
- While minor aftershocks are likely, nothing too major is expected.
- Stay tuned for updates from local emergency services or the USGS.
- Have a basic kit on hand. This may contain a flashlight, water, and medication.
Context: Earthquake Risk in NJ–NYC Region
The Ramapo Fault is speculated to be the primary zone of concern. While not considered highly active, some studies have predicted a 6 to 7 magnitude quake could occur in the future, which creates considerable risk for regional infrastructure.
Even moderate earthquakes, from such as 5.0, pose a risk to older buildings across NYC due to their not being accounted for in building codes prior to the 1990s.
Firsthand Reactions
A person from Nutley, NJ shared their perspective as: “It sounded like a bang, followed by a shake—it lasted about two seconds.” Another person noted the earlier quakes, claiming this one seemed remarkably stronger.
On Twitter @KAMAL__09 posted:
“Nest camera footage captures the moment a 3.6 magnitude earthquake hits NYC…”
Highlights
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 3.0 |
| Epicenter | Hasbrouck Heights, NJ |
| Depth | ~6 miles (10 km) |
| Time | ~10:18 PM EDT on Saturday night |
| Affected Areas | NJ (Nutley, Bergen County); NYC boroughs (Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Westchester) |
| Damage | None reported |
| Context | Ramapo Fault, rare East Coast quakes |
FAQs
Was the 3.0 earthquake dangerous?
The 3.0 magnitude earthquakes, nothing to worry about. Normally, earthquakes of this magnitude only cause a slight shaking, not to cause any property damage during.” Its more of a surprise than danger, but still updating emergency contacts to reflect the shaking around the house is a good idea.
Can small quakes happen again?
Yes, but only aftershocks follow the aftermath of a 3.0 magnitude earthquakes.” Due to the fact it was a weaker tremor, aftershocks of an even weaker magnitude can occur, but still, the aftershocks are very rare.
Why do East Coast quakes feel bigger?
Seismic waves are known to travel, not be limited to a certain area or spot, said to be dense, so East Coast crusts older area filled with them are known to be aged and denser. Due to the fact, a 0.1 or a 1.0 magnitude earthquake can be felt and travel to even certain areas or states without being a surprise.
Does NYC have earthquake early warning?
As of today, I have not gained the knowelde of NYC not having earthquake warnings. US. ShakeAlert being limited to the US’s east and west coast and not being available in NYC. Prior platforms like USGS “Did you feel it” to rely and trust in can be used.
What fault caused this tremor?
Incomplete lacks of even foundations are a solid guess to the Ramapo fault zone, which is located in the New York South east area nearing New Jersey, known to be an inactive fault system most of the time, and still a guess but best option to lead to the east coast.
How common are quakes in NJ?
With magnitudes under 3, they are not so common to happen in NJ after doing some research, but earthquakes between 4 to 5 still have a small chance of happening.
Should I inspect my house now?
Ceilings, walls and even expensive shelves are areas in the house one should be checking and verifying small tweaks even without cracks being located.
Is it possible that this is a precursor to a more significant quake?
Preparedness is always good, but it is extremely unlikely that larger quakes in this area would be more frequent.
