A 4.7-magnitude earthquake shook the New York City region on Friday morning, surprising residents in an area not accustomed to significant seismic activity, as reported by the US Geological Survey. The quake’s epicenter was near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. Despite initial concerns, no immediate damage was reported.
Initially measured at 5.5 magnitude by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the earthquake was felt across the region, including New York City, New Jersey, northern Pennsylvania, and western Connecticut, according to reports from Reuters journalists and social media.
Residents described the tremor as a violent rumble lasting about 30 seconds. At the United Nations headquarters in midtown Manhattan, the earthquake interrupted a Security Council session on the Israel-Gaza conflict, causing cameras to shake.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed airlines of expected flight delays for New York City airports until noon, prompting some flights to divert to alternative airports. The busy Holland Tunnel, a major Hudson River crossing, was temporarily closed for inspection.
The governors of New York and New Jersey announced emergency responses on social media. New York City Mayor Eric Adams received a briefing, with no immediate reports of major impacts.
The quake evoked memories of the 2011 earthquake in Virginia, with some residents recalling evacuations in New York City and damage in Washington.