4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks NJ, PA, NYC

NEW JERSEY – An apparent earthquake rocked the east coast Friday morning, authorities said.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was detected with an epicenter seven kilometers north northeast of Whitehouse Station in New Jersey, according to the United States Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes.

New Jersey’s State Emergency Operations Center has been activated, which will allow for 24-hour agency staffing to coordinate response and recovery operations, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

In a statement via X (formerly Twitter), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said officials are “assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro similarly noted the potential damage is being assessed.

The shaking began about 10:30 a.m. and lasted for approximately 30 seconds, according to reports. The quake was felt as far as New York City and Philadelphia.

Patch readers from Morris County, New Jersey to Suffolk County in New York described items falling off shelves and spooked animals.

In an email to Patch, one first grade teacher from Maplewood, New Jersey recounted her classroom’s experience:

“Around 10:30 we heard a rumbling and there was a shaking vibration,” she said. “The kids were asking what it was and we thought it was some sort of construction going on, may-be drilling. One girl who used to live in California said she thought it was an earthquake but we all said no way, including myself … I couldn’t believe it was actually an earthquake.”

A request for comment from the USGS was not immediately returned.