New York Area Hit by 3.0 Magnitude Earthquake

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake occurred in the New York metropolitan area on Saturday night, centered near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The earthquake was at a depth of about 6.2 miles and was felt by residents in the area, including those in Brooklyn. Despite being a small quake, social media was quickly filled with people who felt the tremor.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake occurred in the New York metropolitan area on Saturday night, centered near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The earthquake, which struck at approximately 10:18 p.m., was felt by residents in the area, including those in Brooklyn. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter was located northeast of Hasbrouck Heights, at a depth of about 6.2 miles.

According to the USGS, the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 3.0 and was relatively shallow, at approximately 10 kilometers below the surface. Despite the small magnitude, social media platforms quickly lit up with reports from residents who felt the tremor. The official account of the Empire State Building even confirmed its safety with the message "I AM FINE."

There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage, according to New York City Emergency Management. The agency advised residents to be prepared for aftershocks that could occur in the minutes, hours, or days following the initial event. Geophysicist Jonathan Tytell from the USGS stated that while the earthquake was not life-threatening, it was substantially less severe than the 8.8 magnitude quake that prompted tsunami warnings in the U.S. earlier this year.

The earthquake was not considered an aftershock to the 4.8-magnitude quake that struck the area in April 2024. The USGS expects 1.0 magnitude aftershocks, but the likelihood of a larger event is considered low.

References:
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/US/small-earthquake-rattles-parts-new-york-city-area/story?id=124319551
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/earthquake-magnitude-new-jersey-shakes-new-york-metro-area-rcna222708
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/02/us/new-york-new-jersey-earthquake-hnk
[4] https://www.bloomberg.com/en/news/thp/2025-08-03/small-quake-shakes-the-new-york-area-usgs-says-magnitude-was-3-0