Residents in parts of New Jersey, New York City, and even southwest Connecticut got a midday surprise on Tuesday when a mild 2.7-magnitude earthquake shook the region.
The quake struck just after 12:11 p.m. ET near Hillsdale, New Jersey, about 25 miles northwest of Manhattan, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Even though it was small, people across the Tri-State area reported feeling light shaking.
Why So Many Felt It
Earthquakes in the eastern United States often travel farther than those out west. That’s because the bedrock here is older, denser, and harder, allowing seismic waves to travel more efficiently.
This means even a weak quake can be felt across a larger area.
The USGS says the quake occurred about 8 miles below the surface — a shallow depth, which also makes shaking easier to detect.
No Major Damage Expected
Officials say earthquakes below magnitude 3.0 rarely cause damage.
NYC Emergency Management confirmed it is monitoring for any impacts but none are expected.
This is actually the second small earthquake in the region in just a few days.
On Saturday night, a magnitude 3.0 quake was felt in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.
Expert Says It’s Not Rare
“It’s not that rare,” said Dr. James Davis from Columbia University. “Here in the East, we tend to feel earthquakes more intensely than out West, even at the same magnitude.”
Back in April 2024, a much larger magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattled northern New Jersey and triggered at least 10 aftershocks.
Recent Worldwide Quakes
In the last few days, the USGS has recorded:
- 5.7 magnitude — Dominican Republic
- 6.8 magnitude — Near Russia
- 3.5 magnitude — California
- 6.4 magnitude — Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
The New Jersey quake might be small in scale, but it’s a reminder that even the East Coast isn’t immune to the Earth’s sudden shakes.
