3.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastport, Maine: ‘The first thought was, ’Oh, something blew up’

3.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastport, Maine: ‘The first thought was, ’Oh, something blew up’
Google Maps
Jack Phillips
2/2/2016
Updated:
2/2/2016

A very rare earthquake struck around Eastport, Maine, on Tuesday, according to officials.

The quake was registered as 3.3 on the Richter scale, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It occurred at 6:56 a.m. ET off the coast of Eastport.

The magnitude of the quake classifies it as minor.

This size of earthquake is “often felt, but only causes minor damage,” the USGS says.

Chris Gardner, executive director of the Eastport Port Authority, said there was no damage from the quake.

“It’s been a neat talking point,” he said, but stipulated that he didn’t feel anything.

Tammy Hoche, who works at the port authority, told the Bangor Daily News that the temblor woke her up. Her cats came running into her bedroom and she heard a crash.

On social media, people said they felt it in Pembroke, Whiting, Lubec, and Ellsworth.

Leasa Garvin thought a ship had exploded in the Port of Eastport.

“It startled us,” Garvin said. “We were dead sound asleep and there was a huge noise and rumble. The first thought was, ‘Oh, something blew up.’”

Bonita Jones of Pembroke said it felt like a box truck had rammed her home. Her husband, who was unloading a barge off Eastport, called to check on her and reported that the crew had felt the barge rocking against the pilings.

Small earthquakes aren’t unusual in Maine. The state typically experiences a couple each year.

The largest earthquake recorded in the state was a magnitude 5.1 in 1904. The largest quake in Maine over the last 40 years was a magnitude 4 in 2012, about 3 miles west of Hollis Center.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
twitter
Related Topics