BEDMINSTER, N.J. — A 1.9 magnitude earthquake rattled Bedminster last week, continuing a recent uptick in seismic activity in North Jersey that began after a larger tremor last year near Tewksbury.
The quake, recorded at 5 kilometers below ground around 5 kilometers west of Bedminster, was detected at 10:30 a.m. ET by the U.S. Geological Survey. The location is close to President Donald Trump’s private golf club and residence in Bedminster.
Trump was not at the property during the quake.
The Trump quake was followed by a 0.9 magnitude earthquake that struck southeast of Califon on Tuesday, also at a depth of 5 kilometers. Neither tremor caused reported damage or injuries, but both added to a pattern scientists have monitored closely since 2024.
On April 5, 2024, a more powerful 4.8 magnitude quake hit near Tewksbury Township, which marked a significant seismic occurrence for the region.
“According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s trackers of seismic activity since last year’s major Califon quake near Tewksbury,” this was part of an unusual spike in local tectonic movement.
It was also the largest earthquake on record in New Jersey, according to the USGS.
USGS analysts have noted that while New Jersey is not generally known for earthquakes, the state’s northern region has shown increased low-magnitude activity, often centered in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.
Seismic patterns in North Jersey raise monitoring interest
Although the 1.9 quake was minor, its proximity to a high-profile location has drawn attention. Bedminster is the site of Trump National Golf Club, which has periodically served as a summer base for the president.
New Jersey’s largest quakes have historically centered further north, including a 3.1 magnitude event in Morris County in 2020. However, the repeated low-level tremors around Tewksbury and Bedminster in recent months have led geologists to continue reviewing stress patterns along local fault lines.
The Bedminster and Califon areas sit along a complex zone of ancient geological structures that are less active than those on the West Coast but are still capable of minor shifts. The recent activity remains below the threshold typically needed for public alerts or emergency response.
As of Friday, no additional seismic events had been reported in the region, and no advisories were issued by state or federal agencies.
