New York City skyline and USGS epicenter map.
Diana Robinson Photography/ Getty Images; USGS
A rare earthquake just outside New York City rattled the Tri-state area on Friday morning.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the quake had a magnitude of 4.8, with an epicenter about 30 miles west of Newark, New Jersey.
The estimated 4.8 magnitude earthquake would be the third-biggest in recorded New Jersey history, and the largest in nearly 250 years, according to a 2018 report on earthquake mitigation.
The quake was felt up and down the East Coast with reports of shaking from Philadelphia to Boston.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state is “assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred.”
Ground stops have been issued at Newark Liberty International and JFK airports, according to the FAA, and flights bound for Newark airport were held Friday morning as workers inspected the runway for damage, according to Flightradar24.
While earthquakes in New York City are rare, North America is home to some of the world’s biggest. There were 138 earthquakes across the world in the past week with a magnitude greater than 4.5, according to the USGS.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
