A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook New York on Friday afternoon (6.4.24), centered in New Jersey and with a focal depth of just 10km, three days before the total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America.
The powerful earthquake shook skyscrapers and scared residents of the American metropolis, as there is no significant seismic activity in the area.
The fact that “Enceladus” hit New York three days before the total solar eclipse expected to occur on Monday and be visible in North America has fueled conspiracy theories.
With some Americans seeing this as a “bad omen”.
“God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent. Earthquakes, eclipses and more to come. I pray our country gets it,” wrote Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, a member of the Republican Party and a proponent of conspiracy theories, in a post on Platform X (formerly Twitter).
At the other end of the political spectrum, some noted that the epicenter of the 4.8 earthquake was located not far from a golf club owned by Donald Trump in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The MeidasTouch group, an anti-Trump political action committee, posted a map of New Jersey on Platform X featuring a laser-eyed figure of Joe Biden.
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) April 5, 2024
Of course, there were not a few who scoffed at the prophets of doom. “According to some sources, New Yorkers should expect swarms of locusts,” said journalist Rebecca Lewis, referring to Pharaoh’s ten plagues.
Sources say that New Yorkers should expect a swarm of locusts following the earthquake, floods and eclipse. Rumblings of concern about plagues so soon before Passover
— Rebecca C. Lewis (@_rebeccaclewis) April 5, 2024
🚨#BREAKING: Watch as a Ring Security Camera Captures the Exact Moment when a 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes
Watch new footage captured on a ring security camera showing the moment when a strong magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck northern parts of New… pic.twitter.com/UrQspJldux
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 5, 2024
What do seismologists say?
The US East Coast is generally a seismically “quiet” region, US seismologists say.
There is at least one fault, the Ramapo Fault, that runs through the Appalachian Mountains and the State of New Jersey, as well as five smaller ones below Manhattan, in the heart of New York City.
#BREAKING: “You’re making the ground shake!” UN Security Council hears as mid-morning #earthquake interrupts briefing on the situation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/1F8TZBHKKu
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) April 5, 2024
They point out, however, that tremors are common in the area, but the magnitude is unusual.
Dr. Chuck Fer Straten who spoke to USA Today explained that it is not surprising that this earthquake happened where it did.
“Historically around New York City to New Jersey there have been a lot of earthquakes. It happens every year. It’s not surprising that it was felt by many, but usually earthquakes in the area are smaller in magnitude and less likely to be felt,” he said.
As for the question of whether or not this is a precursor to a larger earthquake, he points out that “it would be unlikely that a larger earthquake would follow this.”
According to the USGS website, there is a 46% chance of a magnitude 3 earthquake within the next week, a 16% chance of a magnitude 4 earthquake, and a 3% chance of a magnitude greater than 5. Aftershocks can last weeks or months after the initial earthquake, remind the American experts.
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