Rare 4.8 magnitude quake rattles Northeast

By Elise Hammond, Leinz Vales and Matt Meyer, CNN

Updated 7:38 p.m. ET, April 5, 2024

What we covered here

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattled buildings across parts of the Northeast on Friday morning, according to data from the US Geological Survey, with reports of it being felt from Philadelphia to New York City.
There were at least 11 aftershocks, including a 4.0 magnitude tremor that struck nearly 8 hours after the initial quake.
It was the third-largest earthquake recorded in the area in the last five decades and the strongest in New Jersey in more than 240 years, the USGS said.
The rare tremor was felt by millions of people across hundreds of miles, disrupting work and school life and jolting nerves momentarily before an early spring day seemed to return to normal.

Our live coverage is over for today. Please scroll below for all the news about the quake that rattled the US Northeast region on Friday.

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11:46 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

Rail service is being slowed in the Northeast due to the earthquake

From CNN's Greg Wallace and Pete Muntea

Train service is being slowed after the 4.8 magnitude earthquake that rattled the Northeast this morning.

Amtrak said started inspecting its tracks shortly after 11 a.m. ET, and put speed restrictions in place throughout the region until those inspections were complete.

New Jersey Transit said there would be up to 20-minute delays in both directions due to bridge inspections after the quake.

Newark Light Rail service was suspended system-wide, according to NJ Transit. The River Line Light Rail service, meanwhile, was suspended in both directions between the Waterfront Entertainment Center and Trenton due to track inspections.

11:43 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

NOW: New York governor holds news briefing on earthquake

From CNN's Samantha Beech

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is holding a news briefing at the State Capitol following this morning’s earthquake.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other city administration officials will hold a separate news briefing to discuss the impacts of the earthquake at 12 p.m. ET, according to his spokesperson.

11:40 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

New York governor says her team is assessing any impacts from quake

From CNN staff

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said her team will be assessing any impact and any damage that may have resulted from the earthquake that struck New Jersey on Friday.

On X, Hochul said, “A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York. My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.” and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.”

Hochul will hold a press briefing soon on the earthquake at the State Capitol, according to a notification from her office.

11:35 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

Philadelphia police aware of reports of seismic activity and urge people not to call 911 unless of emergency

From CNN’s Danny Freeman in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Police have asked people to only call 911 if they are reporting an emergency, following Friday's 4.8 magnitude earthquake in New Jersey.

"We are aware of multiple reports of seismic activity across the city. Unless you are reporting an emergency, please do not call 911," police tweeted.

Philadelphia Gov. Josh Shapiro added in a tweet that the earthquake was felt in parts of Pennsylvania.

"My team and @PEMAHQ are actively monitoring the situation and in contact with counties on any damage. We will keep Pennsylvanians updated," he said.

11:33 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

Biden has been briefed on earthquake, White House says

From CNN's Samantha Waldenberg

President Joe Biden has been briefed on Friday’s earthquake, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Jean-Pierre posted on social media that the president is “in touch with his team who are monitoring potential impacts.” She added that the White House is in “touch with federal, state, and local officials as we learn more."

11:38 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

NYPD transit chief says no reports of structural damage to transit system following earthquake

Pedestrians pass along 56th Street in New York after an earthquake on Friday. John Minchillo/AP

There are no reports of damage to New York City's transit system following this morning's earthquake, New York City Police Department Chief of Transit Michael M. Kemper said.

Kemper said he has been briefed by his team regarding the earthquake felt across parts of the Northeast.

“There are no current reports of any structural damage and/or service disruptions to the NYC Transit system as a result,” he said. “That said, our team is continuing to survey all lines & stations and we will keep you updated.”

11:29 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

No major incidents following earthquake, New York City Fire Department says

From CNN’s Nic F. Anderson in New York

The New York City skyline is seen on Friday. CNN

The New York City Fire Department said there are no major incidents it is responding to at this time, in the aftermath of the New Jersey earthquake.

An FDNY spokesperson told CNN that around 10:30 a.m. ET, FDNY received reports of shaking buildings.

“We are responding to calls and evaluating structural stability. There are no major incidents at this time. We will continue to monitor," the spokesperson added.

11:18 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

Northeast earthquake is disrupting air travel

From CNN's Greg Wallace

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake in the Northeast is impacting air travel.

The Federal Aviation Administration said flights to the New York Kennedy, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Newark airports were being held.

The air traffic control tower at Newark Liberty airport is being evacuated, a controller said in a radio transmission after the earthquake. That meant the flights were being held while controllers moved to an alternate location.

"Nobody's going to go anywhere for the time being," a controller said over the radio frequency.

The runways were in the process of being inspected for damage. Shortly after the earthquake, controllers at LaGuardia were still clearing flights for departure there.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Jeannie Shiffer calls the earthquake’s impact on air travel a “rapidly evolving situation.”

FAA will have to inspect runways at New York’s JFK and Newark airports before operations can resume.

11:16 a.m. ET, April 5, 2024

No reports of damage in Rockland County following quake, city official says

From CNN staff

There are no reports of damage in New York’s Rockland County following this morning’s earthquake, according to a statement from the county's executive Ed Day.

Day urged residents to remain calm and said the quake was felt in Albany, through the Lower Hudson Valley, and in New York City.

“So far there are no reports of any damage, but the County is still assessing the impact and working with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory research center and the State of New York to gather more information and will publicize as appropriate,” he said.

“As aftershocks are common following earthquakes, residents are advised to stay alert and be prepared for any further seismic activity,” Day added.