Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake Strikes New York City and Vast Swath of Northeast U.S.

NEW YORK CITY - A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New York City on Friday morning, shaking buildings across all five boroughs and felt throughout other Northeast regions, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The earthquake's epicenter was reported in Lebanon, N.J., about 50 miles from Manhattan. Seismic activity was also reported in other states like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

"A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York. My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day," Gov. Hochul posted on X.

The extent of the damage from the tremors was not immediately clear.

Mayor Eric Adams said he has also been briefed following the tremors, and no major impacts had been reported in the city.

Similarly, the New York Police Department said it had no immediate reports of damage, but sirens could be heard all over the city.

The latest earthquake reported in New York state occurred a few miles southwest of Watertown, in April 2023. It was a 3.6 magnitude quake, but public response was few due to the town's small population and its distance from the epicenter in Jefferson County, which has a population density of about 90 people per square mile, according to Deep Geothermal Heat Research at Cornell University.