A magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck New England on Monday morning, causing shaking to be felt from Boston to Portland, Maine. The quake was centered about 7 miles southeast of York Harbor, Maine, and occurred at a depth of approximately 8 miles.
Earthquake Strikes New England, Shaking Felt from Boston to Portland, Maine
A magnitude 3.8 earthquake rattled parts of New England on Monday morning, with shaking felt from Boston to Portland, Maine, according to the ‘US Geological Survey (USGS)’.
New England, a region comprising six states in the northeastern United States, is not typically known for its earthquake activity.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 2.0 are relatively rare in the area.
However, small tremors do occur due to the region's location on the East Coast Rupture Zone, a zone of tectonic activity that runs along the eastern seaboard.
The most significant earthquake in New England's history was the 1755 Cape Ann Earthquake, which had an estimated magnitude of 6.0-7.0.
Earthquake Details
The quake was centered about 7 miles southeast of York Harbor, Maine, and struck at a depth of approximately 8 miles. Initially, the ‘USGS’ estimated the magnitude to be 3.9, but later revised it to 3.8.
Impact and Response
Residents in the affected areas were advised not to call 911 unless they required urgent assistance. The York County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) emphasized that there was no risk to the public and urged people to refrain from calling emergency services unless absolutely necessary.
The New England region has a comprehensive earthquake response plan in place, coordinated by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
The plan involves collaboration with neighboring states and federal agencies to ensure a unified response.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) , New England experiences an average of 1-2 earthquakes per year.
In 2012, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck central Massachusetts, prompting increased seismic monitoring efforts in the region.
The ‘USGS’ noted that earthquakes are relatively rare but not unheard of along the Atlantic Seaboard. In fact, moderately damaging earthquakes occur in the New England region every few decades, while smaller tremors are felt about twice a year.
Historical Context
The most recent significant earthquake to affect New England was a magnitude 5.6 quake that struck central New Hampshire in 1940. This incident serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic activity and the importance of being prepared for such events.
New England has experienced several significant earthquakes throughout its history.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the most notable earthquake occurred on August 4, 1727, with an estimated magnitude of 6.0-6.5.
This quake was centered in the Boston area and caused moderate damage.
Another notable earthquake struck Maine on April 2, 1638, with a reported magnitude of 5.5-6.0.
These events highlight the region's seismic activity and emphasize the importance of preparedness for potential future earthquakes.
CNN’s ‘Ronnie Glassberg’ contributed to this report, which has been updated with additional information.
