‘Like a Car Hit the House,’ Earthquake Reported in New Jersey [WATCH]

An earthquake struck New Jersey on Friday afternoon, with tremors reported in parts of New York.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the 2.4-magnitude quake in Bergen County at 1:02 p.m. ET, near Paramus.

Yes, there was an earthquake in the New York area, New Jersey

Preliminary:
M2.8 pic.twitter.com/q6mx4LoRKV

— GlobalQuake (@Global_Quake) January 24, 2025

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Residents in Paramus and surrounding areas reported feeling the tremor, which some described as sounding “like a car hit the house.”

Others mentioned hearing a “hum for about three to five seconds” or feeling the movement while sitting in vehicles.

The quake had a depth of just under five miles, according to USGS data.

Shallow earthquakes like this one, occurring closer to the Earth’s surface, tend to cause more noticeable shaking than deeper events, though no serious damage has been reported in this case.

The Bergen County Office of Emergency Management released a statement confirming that there were “no reports of serious damage at this time.”

Officials added, “We will continue to monitor this situation and issue further alerts as warranted.”

Reports of the earthquake were also received from residents in Rockland and Westchester counties in New York, including Yonkers and the Bronx.

Despite the widespread notice, most people described the shaking as light.

The earthquake occurred near the Ramapo Fault, a major geological fault line in the northeastern United States.

This fault system stretches from upstate New York through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. It is much older than California’s San Andreas Fault, having formed around 400 million years ago.

Paramus, located along the Ramapo Fault, has experienced seismic activity in the past.

Most recently, on April 5, 2024, a 4.8-magnitude earthquake originating from the same fault was felt across multiple states, including New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

That event caused noticeable shaking for millions of residents, though it also did not result in significant damage.

The Ramapo Fault has been a topic of interest for geologists, who believe it has the potential to produce a major seismic event.

However, significant earthquakes in this region are relatively rare compared to more seismically active areas like California.

The USGS received numerous reports from residents in New Jersey and New York who felt the earthquake.

Despite the wide area affected, the reports indicated only minor shaking with no structural damage.

The event serves as a reminder of the region’s geological activity, particularly along the Ramapo Fault line.

While earthquakes of this magnitude are unlikely to cause significant harm, they highlight the importance of monitoring and preparing for potential seismic activity in the area.

As of now, no further earthquakes or aftershocks have been reported, and authorities continue to monitor the situation.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through updates from local emergency management officials and the USGS.

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