A magnitude 2.3 earthquake struck near Sleepy Hollow this week, the latest in a string of small quakes recorded across northern New Jersey and the New York metro area.
Sleepy Hollow, NY – A small earthquake shook parts of Westchester County and the lower Hudson Valley Tuesday morning when a magnitude 2.3 tremor struck near Sleepy Hollow.
The quake occurred about 7 kilometers beneath the surface shortly after 10 a.m., according to seismic monitoring data. While minor, the shaking was felt by some residents in nearby communities.
Key Points
• A magnitude 2.3 earthquake struck near Sleepy Hollow Tuesday morning
• The tremor occurred about 7 kilometers underground in Westchester County
• Several small earthquakes have recently been recorded across northern New Jersey and the NYC region
Residents report brief shaking
Some residents across parts of Westchester County reported hearing a loud rumble followed by a quick jolt. Others described the sensation as similar to a heavy truck passing by or a sudden thump against the building.
Minor earthquakes in the magnitude 2 range are usually too weak to cause damage but can sometimes be felt when they occur close to populated areas.
Series of minor quakes across region
The Sleepy Hollow tremor is the most recent in a series of small earthquakes detected across northern New Jersey and nearby parts of New York over the past several months.
Seismic monitors previously recorded a magnitude 1.5 earthquake near Califon in Hunterdon County about four weeks ago. Other recent events include a magnitude 2.3 quake near Whitehouse Station and a magnitude 1.8 tremor near Bedminster.
A magnitude 2.7 earthquake was also detected near Hillsdale roughly seven months ago.
Ancient faults beneath the Northeast
Although the Northeast is far less seismically active than the West Coast, the region sits on ancient fault lines that occasionally produce small earthquakes.
Geologists say most quakes in New Jersey and New York are minor and rarely cause damage, though they can sometimes be felt when they occur near populated areas.
Scientists continue to monitor the activity as part of ongoing efforts to better understand the geology beneath the New York metropolitan region.