New York Earthquake: Rare 4.7 Magnitude Tremor Hits East Coast
New York, located on the east coast of the United States, experienced an unusual earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. The quake, which occurred on Friday, sparked panic among residents as New York is not typically prone to earthquakes.
Unexpected Tremors During UN Security Council Meeting
The earthquake struck on Friday morning around 10:23 am local time while Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US, was addressing the United Nations Security Council. Soeripto was discussing the hardships faced by women and children in Gaza amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas when tremors were felt in the room, leading to a moment of silence among delegates.
During the quake, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour humorously remarked to Soeripto, “You’re making the ground shake,” eliciting some chuckles from those present.
Despite the interruption, Soeripto sought confirmation to continue her statement, showing resilience in the face of unexpected events.
Impact Across the Region
The epicentre of the earthquake was located near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, but its effects were felt across New Jersey, New York City, western Connecticut, and northern Pennsylvania. The depth of the epicentre was recorded at 5 kilometres by the US Geological Survey.
A video captured by EarthCam revealed the moment when the earthquake, one of the strongest on the east coast in a century, caused the Statue of Liberty to shake along with the NYC skyline.
Reactions from Landmarks
Following the earthquake, the Empire State Building reassured the public through social media posts that it had not suffered any damage. Subsequent aftershocks, including a magnitude 4.0 tremor, prompted the building to humorously express its resilience with posts like “NOT AGAIN” and “I AM STILL FINE.”
Aftermath and Aftershocks
At least 12 aftershocks, registering 1.8 or higher on the Richter scale, have been reported by the USGS following the initial earthquake.
