The New York metro area experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake near Lebanon, NJ, which shocked residents and led to concerns about potential aftershocks. Experts have estimated that there is a 38% chance of up to 10 aftershocks of 3.0 magnitude occurring in the region within the next week, as well as an 8% chance of a magnitude 4.0 aftershock and a 1% chance of a magnitude 5.0 quake. There is also a 46% chance of a 3.0 magnitude aftershock within a month, with some smaller aftershocks already happening in the area near the epicenter of the initial quake.
Christine Goulet, the director of the USGS Earthquake Science Center, stated that while large aftershocks are not a huge concern, it is important for those in quake zones to be prepared to “drop, cover, and hold on” in case of an aftershock or another earthquake. Borys Hayda, a managing principal at the structural engineering firm DeSimone Consulting Engineers, pointed out that the 4.8 magnitude earthquake was the strongest to occur in the New York area since 1884 and was significant for the region. The earthquake was felt across a wide area, from Delaware to Massachusetts, due to the unique nature of the Earth’s rock in the region.
The earthquake was caused by stored-up stress in the Earth’s crust along ancient plate boundaries that formed hundreds of millions of years ago when the African and North American land masses combined and then broke apart. Dr. Shannon Graham, an assistant physics professor, likened the process to bending a stick and snapping it once the stored energy overcomes the strength. While an earthquake with the potential to cause significant damage on the East Coast is not impossible, it is considered unlikely by experts. As a result of the quake, residents in a Newark, NJ, building had to evacuate due to structural damage.
Overall, experts are warning residents in the New York metro area to be prepared for potential aftershocks following the 4.8 magnitude earthquake near Lebanon, NJ. While the chances of large aftershocks are relatively low, there is a significant chance of smaller aftershocks occurring within the next week or month. It is important for those in quake zones to have emergency plans in place and know how to react in the event of an aftershock or another earthquake. Despite the rare occurrence of such a strong earthquake in the region, the unique geological elements of the area allowed the quake to be felt across a wide area, demonstrating the impact of Earth’s movements on populated regions.
