A magnitude 3.8 earthquake rattled parts of New England on January 29, 2024, at 10:22 AM, catching many residents off guard as it reverberated from Boston to Portland, Maine. The epicenter of the quake was located about 7 miles southeast of York Harbor, Maine, at a depth of approximately 8 miles, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Reports indicate the tremors were felt across the region, with some areas experiencing unsettling shaking for about 10 to 15 seconds. Amelia Nadilo, the executive director of York Land Trust, described the incident as terrifying, likening it to the blaring chaos of “a furnace blowing up, a truck hitting our building and our solar panels falling off – all at the same time.” Her account reflects the shock many felt as they ran out of buildings to assess the situation.
The York County Emergency Management Agency responded swiftly, instructing residents not to flood 911 lines with calls. “We can confirm there was a small earthquake at 10:22 AM. Shaking was felt countywide. No risk remains to the public. Please DO NOT call 911 except for emergencies,” the agency posted on X, highlighting the importance of efficient communication during such incidents.
This unexpected quake is not entirely isolated, coming just days after another earthquake, this one measuring 2.4 magnitude, struck northern New Jersey. The USGS noted the two incidents are likely not related, as they are separated by about 230 miles. “The Atlantic Seaboard is considered a passive plate boundary, as opposed to the active plate boundary on the West Coast,” said Susan Hough, a seismologist at the USGS. “Earthquakes here tend to be smaller and much less frequent.”
The rise of seismic activity, even from seemingly minor events, serves as a wake-up call for businesses, schools, and homeowners to reconsider their safety protocols. Nadilo urged, “To have one of those in Maine was pretty shocking. We certainly do not have an earthquake plan or protocol, so that's something we should all think about seriously.”
The USGS notes small quakes are quite common on the East Coast. Statistically, such shocks lead to increased chances of more seismic activity. The research geophysicist Oliver S. Boyd stated, “Earthquakes, particularly in the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS), are relatively infrequent and difficult to predict.” Despite this, small tremors, like the recent quakes, can disturb geological layers and might signal the potential for future occurrences.
Historically, New England has experienced its fair share of earthquakes, though most are minor. The last notable damaging earthquake occurred with a magnitude of 5.6, rocking central New Hampshire back in 1940. Boyd mentioned, “The last damaging earthquake was near Bar Harbor, ME, in 1904,” to provide perspective on the rarity of significant events.
With emergency officials reporting numerous inquiries and only minor calls resulting from the quake, the general consensus appears to be calm, albeit cautious. The immediate lack of injuries or significant damage has relieved residents, but the quakes have sparked discussions about readiness for seismic events.
“Having two earthquakes along the East Coast within a week of each other is not unusual and not necessarily cause for alarm,” Boyd added, attempting to quell fears amid growing curiosity about seismic activity on the East Coast, where large shakers are not typically expected.
Events like these stress the need for both individual and communal preparedness, whether via home safety protocols or broader emergency planning strategies. Just as other regions with frequent seismic activity—like California under the threat of the San Andreas Fault—have developed comprehensive plans, New England may need to take note.
To many, the image of New England as relatively safe from earthquakes is now shifting. Conversations surrounding building codes, safety drills, and community education may soon dominate discussions as the region adjusts to the mild tremors shaking the surface of their long-held perceptions of geological stability.
Regardless of the magnitude, the seismic events remind us of the Earth’s hidden forces. Residents and officials alike are now left with questions: How prepared are we? What systems can we put in place to mitigate risk? It’s the unpredictability of nature—coupled with the pragmatic need for readiness—that has sparked renewed conversations about earthquakes along the East Coast.
This earthquake, like many others before it, has served not only as a reminder of the earth's dynamic nature but as catalyst for change; urging communities to engage with their environment more thoughtfully, and with respect for its unpredictable behavior.