Possible Earthquake in New Jersey Prompting Investigation by NYC Officials

# New Jersey Earthquake Felt in Parts of Connecticut: What You Need to Know

A 3.0 magnitude earthquake shook Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, on Saturday night. Tremors reached into the tri-state area, including several spots in western Connecticut.

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No major damage turned up, but the event adds to a string of recent earthquakes in the region. People are starting to wonder about the Ramapo Fault line, which cuts through parts of the Northeast.

Earthquake Details and Immediate Impact

The quake hit Bergen County in northern New Jersey on Saturday evening. It was felt up to 65 miles from the epicenter—a surprisingly wide area for a quake of this size.

Folks in Stamford, Greenwich, and Danbury said they noticed a brief shake. The effects closer to the epicenter were stronger, but Connecticut experienced only mild tremors.

Connecticut Communities Affected

Western Connecticut towns felt the quake in different ways. Some people in New Canaan and Ridgefield noticed a faint rumble, while others didn’t feel a thing.

The farther you got from the epicenter, the less anyone noticed. Residents in Waterbury and Hartford barely felt it—if at all.

“I was sitting in my living room when I felt what seemed like a truck driving by, but it lasted a bit longer,” said one Greenwich resident who preferred to remain anonymous. “It wasn’t scary, just unusual for our area.”

Recent Seismic Activity in the Region

This earthquake isn’t an isolated event. In late July, Morris Plains, New Jersey, experienced a few small quakes with magnitudes between 1.6 and 2.0.

But a bigger one hit Tewksbury, New Jersey, on April 5, 2024—a 4.8 magnitude quake that people felt from Maine to Virginia.

The April 2024 Earthquake’s Widespread Impact

The April quake stood out as the second strongest in New Jersey’s history, just behind a 5.3 magnitude event from 1783. That one set off over 205 aftershocks and caused minor structural damage, even in parts of Norwalk and Westport, Connecticut.

Geologists say the Ramapo Fault line is responsible for these quakes. It’s not as active as California’s faults, but it still produces minor earthquakes every year.

Safety Measures and Official Response

After Saturday’s quake, officials started inspecting critical infrastructure around the region. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said city engineers were checking key structures and asked residents to report any concerns.

What Connecticut Residents Should Do

Connecticut emergency management officials suggest a few precautions:

Stay ready for possible aftershocks in the next few days

Look over your home and property for any damage, especially to foundations

Let local authorities know if you spot any structural problems

Go over your family’s emergency plan

Even if you didn’t feel this earthquake, it’s worth remembering that the Northeast isn’t off the hook when it comes to seismic activity.

Historical Context of Earthquakes in the Northeast

The Northeast isn’t the first place most folks think of when it comes to earthquakes. Still, the region has seen some surprisingly notable seismic events over the years.

Lately, geologists have started paying more attention to the Ramapo Fault system. They’re curious about what it might mean for future activity.

“These smaller earthquakes serve as important reminders that we live in a geologically active region,” said Dr. Margaret Chen, a geologist at the University of Connecticut. “Most are too small to cause damage, but they help us better understand the fault systems beneath our feet.”

Here is the source article for this story: Possible earthquake being investigated in New Jersey, NYC officials say

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