A powerful 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Hunterdon County, New Jersey on Friday morning, sending tremors shaking homes and buildings across the Northeast.
The jolt, recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey at 10:23 am EDT, was centered about 3 miles northeast of Lebanon, making it the strongest earthquake felt in the state since 1884. While earthquakes in the 4.0-4.9 range are considered minor globally, this temblor was a shock for many Hunterdon County residents who posted on social media.
"WE JUST HAD AN EARTHQUAKE, I THINK! WHOLE HOUSE SHOOK FOR AT LEAST 15 SECONDS. WOOLF ROAD!!! OMG." - Janet Carnevale Miller (facebook)
"Anybody else feel that?! Earthquake. Alexandria Township NJ Official FB Group ~ Alexandria?" - Michael Sazonov (facebook)
"Whole house shook!" - Sandra Schiller Matuska (facebook)
Governor Phil Murphy activated the State Emergency Operations Center and urged residents to only call 911 for true emergencies.