A mild earthquake rattled New York City and surrounding regions late Saturday night, briefly startling millions unaccustomed to seismic activity in the Northeast. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the tremor, registering a magnitude of 3.0, struck Hasbrouck Heights, a suburb in New Jersey just under 13 kilometers (8 miles) west of Central Park, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)
Tremor Fleeting but Noticeable
The quake occurred at 10:18pm local time, producing a brief jolt in portions of New Jersey and urban New York. Borough residents like Brooklyn reported the experience as a brief, subtle swaying—sufficient to be perceived but too weak to be alarming. Soon, news filled the social networks, with some asking what had occurred and others offering anecdotes. Even the Empire State Building official account put up a reassuring tweet on social media site X: “I AM FINE.”
I AM FINE
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) August 3, 2025
No Injuries or Damage Reported
Authorities, such as New York City Emergency Management, verified that there had been no reports of large injuries or property damage up to early Sunday morning. Emergency procedures were put into place as a precaution, but the occurrence was finished nearly as soon as it started. Local officials made it clear that seismic occurrences of this magnitude do not often result in structural damage, and encouraged residents to stay calm and aware.
Earthquakes in NYC – Rare ?
Earthquakes in the New York metropolitan region are rare, and those that do happen are usually slight. Saturday night’s shake was considerably less powerful than a 4.8-magnitude earthquake in Tewksbury, New Jersey in 2024, which was felt further throughout the region. Over the past 18 months, the region has seen three perceptible tremors, but the magnitude-3.0 quake was not to have had any major effects.
Community Response
Most New Yorkers shrugged off the event, and social media was awash with jokes, memes, and relief. Officials praised residents for their calmness and encouraged embracing basic emergency preparedness for any unexpected occurrence.
Experts Say, “Not to Worry”
A USGS official pointed out that while the Northeast is less seismically active than California or Alaska, occasional small earthquakes do and can occur because of regional faults. The public is reminded by experts that buildings in New York City are designed to withstand much more force, and the city’s overall risk is still low. It will be monitored, but no aftershocks are currently expected.
