On Friday morning, an earthquake hit the East Coast of the United States, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake caused buildings to tremble and nerves to jitter from Maryland to Maine.

The USGS recorded the quake as a 4.8 magnitude with its epicenter near Lebanon, New Jersey, striking just before 10:30 a.m. ET.

According to USGS records, this earthquake marked the most potent tremor in the Northeast in over a decade.

There have been no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties. Local and regional authorities in the affected areas initiated inspections to ensure the integrity of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure.

James Pittinger, mayor of Lebanon, New Jersey, described the earthquake as "the craziest thing I’ve ever experienced." In an MSNBC interview, he mentioned no reports of significant damage yet, but noted that the shaking caused his dog to seek shelter and items to fall off shelves.

While a 4.8 magnitude earthquake isn't classified as major, even minor tremors can lead to damage along the East Coast, which lacks similar seismic precautions as other earthquake-prone regions globally.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that the quake was felt across the state. She stated, "My team is evaluating impacts and any potential damage, and we will keep the public updated throughout the day."

During an afternoon news briefing, New York City Mayor Eric Adams reported no major injuries or infrastructure impacts, advising residents to continue with their usual routines.

Temporary ground stops were implemented at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, as per the Federal Aviation Administration's website.

In the quake's aftermath, the Port Authority Transit Corp., which manages rapid transit between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, suspended service as a precautionary measure for line integrity checks.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York confirmed no service disruptions but announced inspections of train lines. New Jersey Transit informed riders of 20-minute delays due to bridge inspections post-earthquake.

Although rare, earthquakes have occurred in the northeastern U.S. In February 2023, Buffalo, New York, experienced a 3.8 magnitude quake — the strongest recorded in the area in four decades.

In 2017, the tristate area experienced a 4.1-magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter near Little Creek, Delaware, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Prior to that event, in 2011, central Virginia was shaken by a 5.8-magnitude quake that reverberated across much of the East Coast, prompting mass evacuations in cities like New York and Washington.

Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey announced on X that the state had activated its emergency operations center and urged the public to reserve 911 calls for genuine emergencies.

According to Frederik J. Simons, a geosciences professor at Princeton University, the earthquake occurred along a shallow fault system in New Jersey and lasted approximately 35 seconds. "The shallower the quake, the more acutely it's felt by humans," Simons explained.

The USGS reported the quake's depth to be less than 3 miles. Earthquakes on the East Coast can be felt over considerable distances and may induce more intense shaking compared to those on the West Coast due to the region's older, denser rock formations. "These rocks efficiently transmit energy," Simons noted.

Simons identified the earthquake's rupture point as the Ramapo fault system, primarily considered tectonically inactive. This system represents the convergence of continental and oceanic tectonic plates, where accumulated stress periodically results in seismic activity. "It's akin to an old house settling with occasional creaks and groans," Simons remarked.

Describing it as one of the most significant earthquakes in recent New Jersey history, Simons recalled the last notable tremor as a magnitude-3.1 event in Freehold Township in September 2020. "This quake, experienced on Princeton University's campus, was forceful, sustained, and intense," he added.

Footage captured various moments of the earthquake, including scenes from a coffee shop in New Jersey.