EARTHQUAKE SHAKES NEW JERSEY! Did You Feel It?

A minor earthquake rattled parts of northern New Jersey on Friday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The magnitude 2.4 quake struck shortly after 1 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located just outside of Paramus. The earthquake had a depth of approximately 5 miles.

While no immediate reports of damage have surfaced, this event follows a significant 4.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the region nine months ago. That quake, the strongest in New Jersey in 240 years, was felt more strongly in New York City than closer to its epicenter, leading scientists to discover a previously unknown fault line.  

Why East Coast Earthquakes Feel Stronger:

Seismologists explain that earthquakes of the same magnitude tend to be felt over a wider area in the eastern United States compared to the West Coast. This is due to the geological differences between the two regions.  

The constant mountain-building processes in the West result in heavily fractured rock formations that absorb seismic energy more effectively. In contrast, the more solid and less seismically active bedrock in the eastern U.S. allows earthquake waves to travel further and more efficiently, resulting in stronger ground shaking at greater distances.