New York earthquake

1. Rare 4.8 magnitude quake rattles New York City, causing notable tremors but no widespread damage.
2. The Statue of Liberty’s surveillance camera records the unusual seismic activity during the earthquake.
3. Governor Kathy Hochul describes it as one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century.

New York, April 06: A rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook New York City, surprising millions across the region and causing no widespread damage but notable tremors felt from urban skyscrapers to rural areas.

Statue of Liberty Surveillance Footage

The surveillance camera atop the Statue of Liberty captured the unusual seismic activity, marking one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

Lightning Strike

In a separate event, photographer Dan Martin captured a striking image of lightning appearing to strike the Statue of Liberty during a storm, adding to the day’s unusual occurrences.

Epicentre and Timing

The earthquake’s epicentre was located in Tewksbury, central New Jersey, approximately 64 kilometres west of New York City. It occurred shortly after 10:20 am ET (1420 GMT) at a depth of 4.7 kilometers, as reported by the US Geological Survey.

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Impact and Response

While no significant damage or injuries were reported, authorities advised residents to seek cover under furniture or in doorways if aftershocks were felt. US President Joe Biden reached out to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to offer assistance if needed.

Unusual Moments

The earthquake interrupted proceedings at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, where cameras captured the surprise on attendees’ faces as the ground shook. The incident prompted a light-hearted remark from Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour.

Historical Context

This earthquake marks the largest felt in New York City since a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in Virginia in 2011, which led to evacuations and caused damage in Washington.