New York City felt a jolt Friday morning, after a 4.8-magnitude earthquake with its center in New Jersey rocked Wall Street and other parts of the city.
The U.S. Geological Survey reports the quake was centered five kilometers northeast of Lebanon, N.J. Mike Santoli, CNBC’s senior markets commentator, noted on air that “this whole building was moving.” The Coins2Day offices in downtown Manhattan visibly shook for roughly 30 seconds as well.
No damage was immediately reported and Wall Street operations continued without any interruption.
Earthquakes in New York aren’t as rare as most might think. NYC experienced one in January, in fact, though many people didn’t realize it. That 1.7 magnitude quake saw its epicenter in Astoria, Queens.
Experts say the area sees several mini quakes each year. They’re typically not noticed, but when they’re closer to the surface of the earth, they’re a bit easier for people to feel.
While Friday’s quake was centered in New Jersey, it brings to mind one of the larger earthquakes in the area. In 1884, New York City recorded a 5.2-magnitude earthquake off Coney Island.
Experts told the New York Times in January that the changes of a large earthquake hitting NYC and causing significant structural damage are low.