USA NOW! Quaking Up the East Coast: NYC to Philly, Exploring the Earthquake Impact | Sever Weather

On April 5th, near New York, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 occurred. It became one of the largest seismic events on the East Coast of the United States in the last hundred years. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 10:23 a.m. Eastern Time (14:23 Greenwich Mean Time) at a depth of 2.9 miles. The epicenter was near Whitehouse Station in the state of New Jersey, approximately 40 miles west of New York City. Local residents and the USGS reported at least six aftershocks. One of them, with a magnitude of 3.8, occurred 37 miles west of New York City, near Gladstone, New Jersey, around 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Seismologists stated that aftershocks could continue for a week. The impact of the earthquake was felt across three states and even in Philadelphia and Baltimore. The USGS stated that tremors were felt all the way from Maine to Washington, D.C. In Lebanon, New Jersey, frightened residents rushed into the streets. “We’re not used to earthquakes in New Jersey, let alone ones as big as this; we were all scared,“ said one local resident. In New York City, the Statue of Liberty swayed during the earthquake, and workers and residents in five boroughs reported strong shaking. Residents of Brooklyn and the Bronx reported rattling cabinets, doors, and plumbing. The earthquake caused temporary shutdowns at John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty International Airport. LaGuardia Airport also experienced delays as airport facilities and runways were checked for damage. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stated that he was most concerned about the Hudson River tunnels, as they were built in 1911, but there were no reports of serious damage. New York officials also reported no significant consequences for the city. Nevertheless, the strength and intensity of this earthquake alarmed residents of the region, who are more accustomed to flooded roads and snow-covered sidewalks than trembling walls. Jessica Jobe of the USGS explained that there are no known active faults in the earthquake area where strong seismic events usually occur. However, there are dozens of old faults formed millions of years ago. She believes this earthquake could have occurred along an old fault line with “renewed activity.“ It is evident that seismic activity is increasing much faster than previously predicted. Old faults in the Earth’s crust are being activated, and new ones are emerging. And this is happening all over the planet. What is causing such intense growth in seismic activity, and what can we expect in the coming years? You can find answers on the “Global Crisis. The Responsibility“ forum.