An unexpected magnitude 3.8 earthquake off the coast of Maine caused a stir in parts of the Northeast on Monday morning. The quake, which occurred about 6.5 miles southeast of York, Maine, just before 10:30 a.m., was initially reported as a 4.1 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) before being adjusted to 3.8.
The USGS noted that earthquakes along the Atlantic Seaboard are uncommon but not unheard of, as demonstrated by today's event near Bar Harbor, Maine. Fortunately, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Caribou, Maine, confirmed that there was no risk of a tsunami following the quake.
Despite the tremor being felt as far away as Boston, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Residents in various Northeastern states took to social media to share their experiences, with some describing the sensation as a significant jolt that shook their homes.
NWS Boston and residents in New Hampshire and Rhode Island also reported feeling the quake, highlighting the widespread impact of the seismic activity. USGS pointed out that New England, extending as far south as Long Island, New York, has a history of experiencing occasional small earthquakes and sporadic larger ones since colonial times.
According to USGS, moderately damaging earthquakes occur in the region every few decades, with smaller tremors felt approximately twice a year. Historical records show instances of earthquake damage in the Boston area during the mid-1700s and in New York City in 1737 and 1884, underscoring the seismic vulnerability of these areas.
