Epicenter and Impact

The earthquake's epicenter was located in Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County, around 10:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. Situated approximately 15 miles northwest of New York City, the quake was felt across the city and surrounding areas. The shaking lasted only a few seconds but was noticeable to many local residents. As of Sunday afternoon, August 3, there were no reports of significant damage or injuries.

Depth and Aftershocks

The earthquake originated nearly 10 miles below the earth’s surface, according to USGS data. Although no major issues were reported by NYC Emergency Management, authorities have advised residents to stay alert for potential aftershocks. These secondary tremors can occur anywhere from a few seconds to several days after the initial quake. The agency also encouraged residents to be prepared and follow safety protocols if another shake happens.

Earthquake Magnitude Scale

According to Michigan Technological University, earthquakes are categorized by magnitude, with the following effects:

• Below 2.5: Generally not felt

• 2.5 to 5.4: Minor or no damage

• 5.5 to 6.0: Slight damage to buildings

• 6.1 to 6.9: Serious damage

• 7.0 to 7.9: Major earthquake, serious damage

• 8.0 or greater: Massive damage, can destroy communities

Frequency of Earthquakes

The U.S. sees around 63 earthquakes each year, with the National Earthquake Information Center recording approximately 20,000 global seismic events annually (around 55 per day). The New Jersey tremor follows a similar event in Southern California just days earlier.

On July 31, a 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Muscoy, California, followed by several smaller aftershocks.