Earthquake strikes New Jersey, rattles Northeastern United States

The earthquake, with its epicenter in New Jersey, echoed throughout New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and as far as Massachusetts and Maryland, with citizens in those states saying the ground shaking.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 struck near Lebanon, New Jersey, sending shockwaves through the densely populated Northeast corridor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Impact Across the Eastern Seaboard

Residents across the Eastern Seaboard, including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland, reported feeling the rumbling. The quake reverberated throughout the region, prompting ground stops at Newark and JFK airports by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Effects in Urban Areas

In urban centers like midtown Manhattan, motorists experienced momentarily shuddering streets, amplifying the usual cacophony of traffic as car horns blared. Brooklyn residents reported hearing a booming sound and feeling their buildings shake.

Also read: Amazon Web Services (AWS) growth and strategy shift

Disruption of Activities

The earthquake interrupted a UN Security Council meeting discussing humanitarian aid in Gaza, as captured on video. 

Additionally, Philadelphia’s City Hall briefly evacuated, while the Port Authority Transit Corporation suspended rail service between Philadelphia and Camden County, New Jersey.

The seismic event serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of natural phenomena and the importance of preparedness in vulnerable regions.