An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7 struck New Jersey, leaving an estimated 42 million people across the region feeling the seismic impacts. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy activated the State Emergency Operations Center and urged people not to call 911 unless it was an actual emergency. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed a 4.8 magnitude earthquake near Lebanon, New Jersey, with no major impacts or injuries reported. Residents were encouraged to follow safety tips in case of an aftershock, which is a smaller earthquake that follows a larger one.
Authorities in New York, including Governor Kathy Hochul, felt the earthquake and began damage assessments, monitoring and preparing for the possibility of aftershocks. Seismologist Theresa Sawi of Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory explained that earthquakes on the East Coast can be more devastating due to the colder, older, and more brittle ground compared to the West Coast. The American Red Cross shared safety tips for earthquake preparedness, including dropping to your hands and knees, covering your head and neck, and holding on until the shaking stops in case of an earthquake.
The American Red Cross advised people to expect and prepare for aftershocks, watch out for fires, and protect themselves from falling debris by crawling to a protected space, such as beneath a desk or table, during an earthquake. Straps, hooks, latches, and other safety devices can be used to secure potentially dangerous items like televisions, shelves, mirrors, and bookcases to prevent injuries during an earthquake. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended staying inside during an earthquake and not running outside or to other rooms to minimize the risk of injury from falling or flying objects.
Governor Hochul mentioned the earthquake that hit New York in 2011 and stressed the need for damage assessments and emergency preparedness in response to the recent earthquake in New Jersey. As the East Coast is less accustomed to earthquakes than the West Coast, the need for education and awareness around earthquake safety measures is highlighted by incidents like this one. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, stay safe, and follow guidelines from organizations like the American Red Cross and the CDC during earthquake events. For more information on earthquake safety, visit redcross.org and CDC.gov.
