A 4.8 magnitude earthquake rocked New Jersey on Friday morning, making it one of the strongest in the state’s history. The epicenter was located about 5 miles north of Whitehouse Station, with reports of shaking felt as far north as Maine and as far south as Norfolk, Virginia.
Scientists warned of possible aftershocks in the magnitude 2-3 range, prompting officials to activate emergency operations centers to monitor the situation. President Joe Biden and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul both commented on the quake, expressing concern for those affected.
The US Geological Survey recorded at least two aftershocks related to the main earthquake, encouraging citizens to report their experiences on the USGS website. Residents in the affected area were advised to drop, cover, and hold in case of aftershocks, while people from Massachusetts to Brooklyn reported feeling the quake.
Although earthquakes are less frequent on the East Coast compared to the West Coast, New Jersey residents shared their experiences during the event, the most significant in the state since 1884. Experts believe that while aftershocks are possible, a larger quake is unlikely to follow.
Despite the moderate 4.8 magnitude, the earthquake caused no major damage or injuries, but was widely felt in surrounding states. Magnitude measures the strength of an earthquake, with intensity scales used to describe how strong the quake felt to people in the area.
As the story continues to develop, officials are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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