According to the United States Geological Survey, a 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Northeast early Monday morning, rocking buildings and residences along the Atlantic coast.
The earthquake, which occurred at 10:22 a.m., had its epicenter close to York Harbor, Maine, a picturesque location. It was felt as far away as Portland, which is 45 miles to the north, and Boston, which is 67 miles to the south.
“Today’s M3.8 near Bar [York] Harbor, Maine, reminds us that earthquakes are unusual but not unheard of along the Atlantic Seaboard,” the USGS stated in a post on X.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred more than 8 miles below the surface.
According to the US National Tsunami Warning Center, there were no tsunami threats as a result of this.
“It was brief — 5-8 seconds — but my entire house shook and I had a couple loud bangs that I’m not sure what they were. It was pretty intense for something that small and brief,” one resident in Methuen, Ma. stated.
“We just felt a pretty steady earthquake up here in Newburyport. My parents in Dover, New Hampshire and brother in Portland Maine both felt it as well,” another stated.
A unusual and far bigger earthquake that struck the tri-state area in April of last year preceded the recent 3.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Boston and Maine.
With a magnitude of 4.8, the earthquake was the biggest to strike the area in more than a century and was centered close to Lebanon, New Jersey.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that over 42 million people may have felt the tremor from that earthquake, making it a major seismic event for the heavily populated northeastern U.S.
Large-scale earthquakes are uncommon in the area, so the 2024 New Jersey earthquake was a unique event. The region had been regarded as rather peaceful in terms of earthquake activity, but the fact that it was the strongest in almost a century highlighted its seismic potential.
Residents of a large area, including New York City, reported shaking and, in certain situations, structural damage as a result of the earthquake.
Although there were no reports of serious injuries or extensive structural damage, the tremor’s remarkable intensity served as a reminder of the seismic risk in some areas of the Northeast.
A year later, a fresh, weaker earthquake in Boston and Maine has garnered attention because of its closeness to the East Coast’s major cities.
Although they are less frequent than in states like California, earthquakes on the Atlantic coast can nevertheless have significant effects, particularly in locations with higher population densities.
Even as specialists continue to investigate the possibility of larger seismic events in the region, the 3.8-magnitude tremor that affected Boston and Maine has once again brought attention to the geological activity in this area of the country.
Strange Drone Sightings Resurface Across Northeast After FAA Restriction Ends
Given that earthquakes of this type are still unexpected and can occasionally occur with little warning, these recent occurrences have spurred conversations about how prepared Northeastern towns are for seismic disasters.
Even while there is less chance of a large earthquake occurring on the East Coast than the West Coast, the regularity of minor ones, such as those that have occurred in New Jersey, Maine, and Boston recently, emphasizes how crucial it is to be aware of the risks of earthquakes nationwide.
