BOSTON - A magnitude 3.8 earthquake was reported off York Harbor, Maine, today, causing noticeable shaking throughout New England. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at approximately 10:22 AM. Originally recorded as having a magnitude of 4.1, it was adjusted to 3.8 shortly thereafter.
The earthquake's epicenter was located about 6.8 miles off the coast of York Harbor, about 45 miles from Portland, and was felt as far away as Boston, New Hampshire, and even Providence, Rhode Island. The depth of the quake was reported to be over 12 miles underground, which typically reduces the intensity felt at the surface.
John Ebel, a senior scientist at the Weston Observatory at Boston College, described the earthquake as significant for the area, noting, "This is like a [unintelligible]." He emphasized the unusual nature of such seismic activity for New England, stating, "We don't sit on any active fault lines, but again, for our area, it's really significant."
People across the region reported the shaking on social media. WBZ-TV anchor David Wade, who resides just west of Boston, expressed his surprise: "My house shook pretty good. It went on for what felt like a good five or 10 seconds." Similarly, Anna Fletcher, who was working from her home office in Milton, explained, "It shook probably four to five seconds pretty significantly, and I stood up to check things out but by then everything was over and the dog started barking. Your mind goes to anything but an earthquake when you live in New England."
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) received several reports of shaking but confirmed no structural damage or injuries as of the time of reporting. They advised residents on emergency procedures: "Remember, during an earthquake: drop, cover and hold on for safety," the agency stated.
Solidarity and confusion reigned during the quake. Police and fire scanner audio from York County captured initial responses, as dispatchers received numerous calls about unexpected shaking. One dispatcher was quoted saying, "We're not sure what's going on. We're getting calls from all over town about an explosion," reflecting the collective confusion among residents. Nancy Begert, working at an OB/GYN office in Portland, recounted her experience: "We all kind of looked at each other, like, what's happening? And then when it was done, we said, 'I think that's was an earthquake.' One of the girls had something fall off the desk, but no damage."
The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there was no tsunami threat to New England following the earthquake. The New Hampshire Department of Safety's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported no damage claims by 10:45 AM on Monday, indicating the quake, though startling, did not lead to significant fallout.
Seismologist John Ebel also indicated the likelihood of aftershocks occurring after the main earthquake. He mentioned, "If the aftershocks get to be, you know, magnitude 2.8, 3.0, or 3.1, let's say those will be felt probably by the people in the North Shore area of Massachusetts as well as coastal New Hampshire and south coastal Maine."
Historically, earthquakes of this caliber emerge roughly every five years within New England. While most residents might not feel smaller earthquakes frequently, this 3.8 magnitude quake stands out due to its perception across vast distances. But according to Ebel, this event aligns with the area’s seismic activity profile: "Standard earthquake activity for the region," he noted. New England experiences many quakes per month averaging magnitudes between 1.5 and 2, beneath the notice of most residents.
Despite the earthquake's powerful rumbling, the area experienced no reported damage at the local airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, which continued its operations uninterrupted. The general consensus among experts remains hopeful: earthquakes are not seen as inherently damaging below certain magnitudes.
Tom Luddy, also speaking after the incident, assured residents of their safety, “We have spoken with the directors at York and Cumberland County EMA, and everything seems to be in order.” Entailing measures to check structures and consult local agencies ensures awareness and potential safety enhancements for any unforeseen events.
Besides, reports suggest Boston feels tremors from distant quakes more distinctly than other regions due to differences in geological structures. Earthquake energy disperses more effectively through the rocks of the east coast, leading to broader areas feeling the effects compared to similar magnitude quakes on the west coast.
This earthquake stands as yet another reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic activity, even in areas not known for regular quakes. While the recent earthquake may have startled many, it posed no significant threat, nor did it result in damages, ensuring New England's resilience during seismic occurrences.