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Earthquakes · New York
Was that an earthquake in New York?
Latest earthquakes in New York, live from the USGS
No earthquakes of magnitude 1 or more were recorded in New York in the last 24 hours, as of 9:52 a.m. EST.
Strongest in the last 12 months: M2.8, 28 km WSW of Henderson, New York, Mar 21.
Gold dots are the last 24 hours. Rows marked "auto" are first, automatic solutions; the USGS revises them, often within the hour.
Last 24 hours, magnitude 1 and up
None in New York in the last 24 hours.
Last 7 days, magnitude 2.5 and up
None in the last 7 days.
Last 30 days, magnitude 2.5 and up
None in the last 30 days.
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Did we just have an earthquake near me?
Check the list at the top of this page. It reads the U.S. Geological Survey's live feed every few minutes. Automatic locations for most US quakes appear within minutes, and small or remote ones can take longer. If you felt shaking that isn't listed yet, wait a few minutes and refresh, or report it to the USGS "Did You Feel It?" survey.
The last 12 months
2 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in New York in the last 12 months. The largest was M2.8, 28 km WSW of Henderson, New York, on Mar 21.
Biggest earthquakes in New York
The five largest of the last 50 years in the USGS catalogue.
| Magnitude | Where | Date | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5.3 | 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | April 20, 2002 | USGS |
| M5.1 | The 1983 Blue Mountain Lake, New York Earthquake | October 7, 1983 | USGS |
| M4.0 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | June 17, 1991 | USGS |
| M3.8 | 1 km NE of West Seneca, New York | February 6, 2023 | USGS |
| M3.8 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | April 20, 2000 | USGS |
Why does New York get earthquakes?
New York sits far from any plate boundary, so its earthquakes are less frequent and usually small. They come from old faults in the crust, squeezed by the slow push of the North American Plate. Activity clusters in the Adirondacks, along the St. Lawrence River and around New York City, where small faults such as the 125th Street fault cross Manhattan and the Ramapo Fault Zone runs through northern New Jersey and southern New York.
The largest in the state's record was the M5.8 Massena earthquake of 5 September 1944, near the Canadian border. Because the rock in the East is old, cold and solid, shaking travels much farther than in the West: the M4.8 near Tewksbury, New Jersey, on 5 April 2024 was felt across New York City and well beyond.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026. Sources: USGS: East Coast earthquakes · Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
Is there a fault line under New York City?
Yes. Several old, small faults cross the city, such as the 125th Street fault in Manhattan, and the Ramapo Fault Zone runs through northern New Jersey and southern New York. They produce small quakes now and then. The M4.8 near Tewksbury, New Jersey, on 5 April 2024 was felt across the city.
Earthquakes near New York City
No quake of magnitude 2.5 or more within 93 miles of New York City in the last 12 months.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?
People close to the epicentre often feel quakes from about magnitude 2.5 to 3, especially indoors on upper floors. Below that, most go unnoticed. How strong it feels depends on distance, depth and the ground under you, so a shallow M3 nearby can feel stronger than a deep M4 farther away.
How long do aftershocks last?
Aftershocks are most frequent in the first hours and days after a quake and then fade, though after a large one they can go on for months or even years. Most are smaller than the main shock, but a damaging one is possible. For significant US quakes, the USGS publishes an aftershock forecast with the chances for the coming days and weeks.
What should I do during an earthquake?
Drop, cover and hold on: get down on your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you're in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow. Don't run outside during shaking, and keep away from windows. Doorways aren't safer in most modern homes. See Ready.gov and the Earthquake Country Alliance for more.
Can earthquakes be predicted?
No. Scientists can't predict the time, place and size of a particular earthquake. They can estimate the chance of a large quake in a region over decades, which is how building codes and insurance are set. On the West Coast, the ShakeAlert system can give seconds of warning once a quake has started, but that's detection, not prediction.
Nearby
Other hazards in New York
How this page works
The lists read the U.S. Geological Survey's real-time feeds: every quake of the past day and every quake of magnitude 2.5 or more of the past month, refreshed every few minutes. The 12-month history and the 50-year list come from the USGS earthquake catalogue (ComCat), read once a day and once a week. A quake counts here when the USGS names New York as its place, offshore quakes included.
First magnitudes and locations are automatic and are often revised within hours; rows marked "auto" haven't been reviewed by a seismologist yet. Felt reports are the number of "Did You Feel It?" responses the USGS has so far. Times are local (America/New York).
Gods Eyes is not an early warning system and is not affiliated with any government agency. In an emergency, follow local officials and call 911.
Earthquakes: data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey · Map and place names: Natural Earth (public domain). All data sources.