On Monday morning, a magnitude 3.8 earthquake shook parts of New England, with reports of shaking felt from Boston to Portland, Maine, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake's epicenter was located about 7 miles southeast of York Harbor, Maine, at a depth of approximately 8 miles.
Residents in the area described the experience as a moment of terror, with one witness comparing the shaking to a combination of a furnace explosion, a truck hitting a building, and solar panels falling off simultaneously. The quake lasted for about 10 to 15 seconds, prompting people to evacuate buildings and ensure everyone's safety.
The York County Emergency Management Agency advised residents not to call 911 unless they required urgent assistance. The agency confirmed the earthquake occurrence and reassured the public that there was no ongoing risk. They urged people to refrain from calling emergency services unless it was a critical situation.
The unexpected earthquake in Maine highlighted the importance of having safety protocols in place for earthquakes, as emphasized by local officials. The seismic activity in the region is relatively rare compared to the West Coast, which is an active plate boundary.
While the recent quake in New England is not believed to be directly related to a smaller quake felt in northern New Jersey and the New York City metro area, experts noted that such events could potentially lead to increased seismic activity in the region. The disturbance of the crust from these tremors may elevate the likelihood of further earthquakes.
According to the USGS, moderately damaging earthquakes occur in the New England region every few decades, with smaller tremors felt approximately twice a year. The most recent significant earthquake in the area was a magnitude 5.6 quake that struck central New Hampshire in 1940.
