NEW YORK – Some residents in Astoria, Queens, and surrounding areas had an unexpected start to their Tuesday morning as a 1.7 magnitude earthquake hit the area at around 5:45 am. The earthquake, initially mistaken for a building explosion, caused some concern among residents, but fortunately, no serious damage or injuries were reported.
According to Jessica Turner, a geophysicist with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was relatively small, but some residents living in high-rise buildings may have felt more intense shaking. While the shaking may have been alarming, it was not enough to cause significant damage to buildings.
Residents near the area initially reported hearing a loud boom, leading them to believe it was an explosion. However, upon further investigation, it was confirmed to be an earthquake. Some residents as far away as Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Long Island City also reported feeling the earthquake, sparking discussions on social media.
Emergency personnel and authorities quickly responded to the reports of a possible explosion to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and investigations by the New York City Emergency Management Department and Con Edison found no signs of explosions or damage to their equipment.
The USGS later confirmed that the incident was indeed an earthquake, bringing clarity to the unusual and unexpected event experienced by residents in the area. Overall, while it may have been a shaky start to the day for some New Yorkers, the situation was swiftly addressed, and no significant damage or harm was caused by the 1.7 magnitude earthquake.