Rare 4.8 magnitude quake rattles Northeast

The rare 4.8 earthquake that struck northern New Jersey Friday was the third-strongest to strike the state, according to CNN analysis of US Geological Survey data.

The Friday morning earthquake also marked the strongest since 1783, more than 240 years ago. Two 5.1 magnitude temblors are the only stronger quakes in the state — one in 1755 and another in 1783. Both happened before New Jersey became a state in December 1787, but happened in the geographic area that now comprises the state's boundaries.

The quake is the third-strongest to hit the Northeast in 50 years and the 10th-strongest of all time in the region, USGS data shows.

Earthquakes in New Jersey and the region are rare. There have only been 24 earthquakes of 2.5 magnitude or greater in New Jersey since 1700.

All aspects of the New York City transit system are operating safely following this morning’s earthquake, the Metropolitan Transport Authority, which runs the city's subway and other forms of public transit, said.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said every part of the transit system operated safely during the earthquake, as well.

He said initial facility inspections have been completed, including inspections of the seven bridges the MTA operate.

According to the MTA website, MTA Bridges and Tunnels (B&T) serves more than 900,000 vehicles on an average day. In 2019, it carried more traffic than any bridge and tunnel authority in the nation — more than 329 million vehicles, the MTA says. 

Lieber said MTA frontline staff have been directed to report any abnormalities in the system, but he said nothing had been flagged so far. 

There is a low likelihood of aftershocks following Friday's 4.8 magnitude earthquake that rattled several Northeast cities, New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zachary Iscol said. 

Iscol, however, urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant.

“If you are outside during an aftershock, please move to an open area, away from buildings, trees and power lines. If you are driving, pull over to a safe location," he said at a news conference Friday alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Iscol said there were no major impacts or safety events related to the earthquake, and added that New Yorkers can call 311 to report any damage. 

The quake, he said, triggered the activation of the city's emergency response teams and prompted officials to issue guidance to the public. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul gave some earthquake safety tips following Friday's 4.8 earthquake that struck the area, noting people in the Northeast are not used to dealing with quakes.

"If there is an aftershock, people are encouraged to drop and cover and to hold, drop to the floor, cover your neck, and hold onto something that is sturdy," she said.

There are no reports of damaged buildings at this time, but Hochul urged New Yorkers to take caution around buildings, especially high rises, if there are any aftershocks.

Hochul added, "If you hear shifting or any noises, unusual noises, leave your home, go outside."

She urged New Yorkers to inspect their homes for damage, including checking all walls, doors, floors and windows and inspecting waterlines and gas lines.

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake that rattled buildings across parts of the Northeast Friday morning was the third largest earthquake recorded in the area in the last 50 years, according to data from the US Geological Survey.

The largest, a 5.3 magnitude quake, happened in Au Sable Forks, New York, in 2002.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said there were no reports of major damage to infrastructure, and no reports of injuries, following the earthquake in neighboring New Jersey Friday morning.

Shaking was felt widely throughout the city, where many residents are unaccustomed to even relatively mild quakes.

"New Yorkers should go about their normal day," Adams said at a news briefing. "First responders are working to make sure the city is safe."

Adams said there are no concerns for school buildings following the earthquake and the safest place for students is to remain at school.

The mayor thanked first responders and warned residents to be prepared for the possibility of aftershocks.

President Joe Biden spoke with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy about Friday’s earthquake, according to the White House.

“The President said his Administration is in touch with state and local officials and will provide assistance if needed,” the White House added.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in touch with the New York governor’s office, according to a Homeland Security spokesperson.

Earlier Friday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre posted on social media that the president had been briefed on the earthquake and was monitoring “potential impacts.”  

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also said his department is monitoring the aftermath.

The epicenter of the 4.8 magnitude earthquake was just northeast of Lebanon, New Jersey, less than 50 miles west of New York City, according to the USGS.

This post has been updated with comments from the Department of Homeland Security.

New York officials say there has only been a single report of a gas line leak so far in the wake of the quake that hit in the area, but so far there's no “major” infrastructure impact.

New York’s Director of State Operations Kathryn Garcia said the quake was “significantly bigger” than “ones that are typically felt in the state of New York or occur and actually are not felt.”

“While highly unusual in the state of New York, we do actually have fault lines,” Garcia said.

The state is tracking whether there are any increases in hospitalizations or vehicle accidents, none of which have been reported at this time.

There was one gas leak reported in Rockland County, which is north of New York City and on the west side of the Hudson River, but other than that, there doesn’t “seem yet to be a major infrastructure impact,” New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Jackie Bray added.

Flights are now arriving and departing from Newark Liberty International Airport, in the New York City area after being paused due to the Friday morning quake, officials said.

The air traffic control tower was evacuated, and controllers moved to a nearby location. That evacuation and the Port Authority's runway inspections caused flights to be held for a short time earlier in the day.  

The Federal Aviation Administration says flights may be delayed 45 minutes into Newark. The ground stop is holding planes that haven't yet left for Newark from departing.  

Earlier Friday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the full ground stop at Newark Airport.

Meanwhile, Hochul said Amtrak, the rail company with train service throughout the Northeast, and the MTA, which runs New York's public transportation including the subway system, were both on "full schedule" with "no disruption at this time."

Amtrak had said earlier that it initiated some speed restrictions while it inspected its tracks.

New Jersey Transit, meanwhile, has reported some disruptions.

CNN's Greg Wallace contributed reporting to this post.