3.8 magnitude earthquake strikes near Maine coast, tremors felt in Boston

Yahoo

27-01-2025

The Brief
A 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck near York Harbor, Maine, with shaking felt as far as Boston.
No tsunami warnings or reports of damage or injuries have been issued.
New England experiences small earthquakes regularly, with major ones happening every few decades.
YORK HARBOR, Maine - A 3.8 magnitude earthquake was detected Monday, nearly 7 miles south of York Harbor, Maine, according to the United States Geological Survey.
What we know
The earthquake took place at about 10:22 a.m. on Monday and was centered about six miles (10 kilometers) southeast of York Harbor in southern Maine, the United States Geological Survey reported. It was reported at a depth of about eight miles (13 kilometers) the survey said.
Officials said the quake could be felt in every state in New England and as far away as Pennsylvania. In southern Maine, many residents reported feeling houses and buildings shake as the surprising earthquake interrupted a sunny winter morning.
The quake sent residents and officials in Maine and New Hampshire looking to assess any possible damage. In most cases, residents and businesses reported confusion over what had happened. Many shared stories on social media indicating they initially thought there may have been a nearby car accident or possibly an explosion.
The shaking comes days after a 2.4 magnitude rattled parts of New Jersey on Friday in Bergen County, between Paramus and River Edge.
What we don't know
The Maine Emergency Management Agency asked residents to only call 911 in the event of an emergency. The earthquake did not appear to cause major damage, said Vanessa Corson, a spokesperson for the agency. Corson also said local emergency management agencies did not report any damage.
New Hampshire's Department of Safety said the state's 911 number did not receive any calls about damage or injuries.
"We have not received word of any issues. We've spoken with the directors at York and Cumberland County EMA, and everything seems to be in order," Corson said.
What they're saying
According to Boston 25 News, a Wakefield resident said the earthquake caused their home to "rattle, shake, and vibrate." Another person wrote to the outlet, "Was there an earthquake on the North Shore just now?"
Big picture view
According to the USGS, earthquakes aren't uncommon in New England, although many are small. However, the area has suffered damage from infrequent large ones since colonial times.
Officials said moderately-damaging earthquakes seem to strike the region every few decades, while smaller earthquakes are felt roughly about twice a year.
The largest known earthquakes that occurred in New England happened in 1638 (magnitude 6.5) in Vermont or New Hampshire, and in 1755 (magnitude 5.8) offshore from Cape Ann northeast of Boston. The latter caused severe damage to Boston's waterfront.
The USGS says in the 1700s, the Boston area suffered damage from earthquakes in a 28-year period. New York City was struck by a damaging earthquake in 1737 and 1884.
Back on April 5, 2024, a 4.8-magnitude earthquake shook NYC and the Tri-State area.
The Source
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story is based on information from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which reported the earthquake's magnitude, location, and historical context of seismic activity in New England. Additional details were provided by Boston 25 News, including eyewitness accounts from residents describing the effects of the earthquake. This story was reported from Los Angeles.