Rare 4.7 magnitude earthquake hits New York City, New Jersey

An earthquake struck the densely populated New York metropolitan area on Friday morning, and residents reported feeling rumblings along the East Coast, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The agency reported that an earthquake struck near Lebanon, New Jersey, with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7. The FDNY said there were no preliminary reports of damage.

In midtown Manhattan, the usual traffic noise grew louder, with motorists honking their horns as the streets briefly shook. Some Brooklyn residents heard a loud bang and their buildings began to shake. In an apartment in Manhattan’s East Village, a resident from earthquake-prone California calmed nervous neighbors.

People in Baltimore, Philadelphia and other areas also reported feeling shaking on the ground.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul posted on X that her team was assessing the impact and any possible damage.