Earthquake Hits Greater New York City, No ‘Major Impacts’ Reported

The US Geological Survey says the earthquake struck in Lebanon, New Jersey, at around 10:23 a.m. ET on Friday, April 5. (US Geological Survey)

A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck New Jersey on Friday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and it was likely felt by millions of people across the northeastern U.S. and New York City metropolitan area.

The USGS says the quake struck in Lebanon, New Jersey, at around 10:23 a.m. ET.  It’s not yet clear if any damage was done or injuries were reported.

At around 11 a.m., an alert was sent out to the phones of residents in New York City and nearby, advising them to “remain indoors.”

“Preliminary data from the USGS shows that a 4.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Whitehouse Station, NJ,” the National Weather Service wrote in a statement. “We have received several reports of shaking which was also felt here at the office,” it added, saying that people should “please refer to the USGS for further information.”

On social media, residents in New York City and Philadelphia reported feeling the temblor. The rare phenomenon quickly became one of the top trending topics on X, formerly known as Twitter.

An Epoch Times reporter who is located 50 miles north of Lebanon reported feeling shaking for approximately five to 10 seconds, while Epoch Times staff in New York City also reported shaking.

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Other than New Jersey and New York, the U.S. Geological Survey website has earthquake reports from people in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland.

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The New York City Fire Department told The Associated Press and other media outlets that there were no initial reports of damage.

John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport were placed on a ground stop, officials told ABC News. Runways are being inspected for possible damage, they said.

And the quake led to the evacuation to Philadelphia’s City Hall, officials told a local affiliate station.

The Philadelphia Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO), which operates a rapid transit line, wrote that all “service is suspended at this time,” adding that “crews will inspect the integrity of the line out of an abundance of caution. Once inspection is complete, service will resume. No timeframe.”

Responding to the quake, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote on social media: “My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.”

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged calm after NYC earthquake, “New Yorkers should go about their normal day.”

“The safest place for our students, we believe, continues to be in school,” he added.

“The shaking felt throughout the community in the past 15 minutes appears to be an earthquake,” South Brunswick, New Jersey, police said in an alert posted on social media. “We have no reports of damage or injuries.”

A first-grade teacher from Maplewood, New Jersey, told a local media of her classroom’s experience during the shaking.

“Around 10:30 we heard a rumbling and there was a shaking vibration,” the teacher said. “The kids were asking what it was and we thought it was some sort of construction going on, maybe drilling. One girl who used to live in California said she thought it was an earthquake but we all said no way, including myself ... I couldn’t believe it was actually an earthquake.”

Earthquakes striking the U.S. East Coast are considered rare. However, a 5.8-magnitude quake struck near Washington, D.C., in 2011, causing damage to the iconic Washington Monument, keeping it closed for months while crews performed repairs.

According to data, Friday’s quake in New Jersey is the largest one to strike the Greater New York City area since the late 19th century when a 5.2-magnitude quake struck the region in 1884. At the time, there were reports that the quake “threw down chimneys” and did other damage.

The rare New Jersey quake comes as a major, 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan earlier this week, leaving at least 12 people dead and scores more injured. Officials said the earthquake was the strongest one to hit the island nation in 25 years.

Unlike the East Coast of the United States, Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes. More than 100 people were killed in a 2016 quake in its south, while one of magnitude 7.3 killed more than 2,000 in 1999.

Reuters contributed to this report.