A Saturday Night Surprise: 3.0 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes New York Metro Area
On a quiet Saturday evening, just after 10 p.m., a sudden jolt rippled through the New York City metro area, catching thousands off guard. The source? A 3.0 magnitude earthquake centered near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey — just a few miles from Manhattan and only about eight miles from Central Park.
Though relatively minor in magnitude, the quake was powerful enough to be felt across the densely populated region. People from both sides of the New York/New Jersey border took to social media to share their surprise — some thinking it was construction noise or a passing subway train, others wondering if they were imagining things.
The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quake and noted that it wasn’t strong enough to cause damage. But because of where it hit — right in the middle of one of the most crowded parts of the country — the shaking was more noticeable than you might expect from a 3.0 tremor.
Thousands of people reported the experience on the USGS “Did You Feel It?” map, showing just how widespread the effects were. While it doesn’t compare to the larger 4.8 magnitude quake that struck New Jersey back in 2024, earthquakes in the Northeast are rare enough that even a small one like this feels like a big deal.
Did you feel it? If so, the USGS wants to hear from you — and we’d love to hear your story too. Text us your experience at (404) 793-7182.
