Hasbrouck Heights, NJ — August 2, 2025: Residents of northern New Jersey and the greater New York City area experienced an unexpected jolt late Friday night as a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Hasbrouck Heights in Bergen County. The tremor, which occurred at approximately 10:18 PM, was brief but widely felt across the region, prompting immediate social media reactions and questions about potential damage and safety.
Despite the relatively low magnitude, the New Jersey earthquake caused a momentary panic in several neighborhoods. From Staten Island to the Bronx, and even in parts of Long Island and Connecticut, people reported feeling their homes shake.
Key Earthquake Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | August 2, 2025 |
| Time | 10:18 PM ET |
| Location | Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County, NJ |
| Magnitude | 3.0 (USGS Confirmed) |
| Depth | 10 kilometers (~6.2 miles) |
| Felt In | NYC (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island), NJ, Long Island, Westchester, and parts of Connecticut |
| Aftershocks | None reported at this time |
| Injuries/Damage | None confirmed |
Seismic Activity Caught Off Guard
While New Jersey is not known for major seismic activity, small tremors are not entirely unheard of. What made this event more impactful was its shallow depth, which allowed the shockwaves to travel rapidly across populated urban centers. The tremor lasted only a few seconds, but for many residents, it felt much more intense due to the suddenness and the loud initial sound.
Local Testimonies
“I thought a car had slammed into the side of the house. It was loud and shook everything for a second,” said Rachel Mendez, a Hasbrouck Heights resident.
“I was watching TV in the Bronx, and everything on my shelf rattled,” shared James Delgado via social media.
“We felt the whole apartment wobble in Brooklyn. It was scary because we didn’t know if a bigger quake was coming,” said Aliyah Thompson, a Park Slope resident.
Earthquake Felt Across NYC
Within minutes, the New York City Emergency Management Department confirmed that the shaking was caused by an earthquake in New Jersey, ruling out any explosion or structural incident as the source.. NYC’s official X (Twitter) account assured the public that there were no reports of injuries or major damage.
Even the Empire State Building’s X account posted humorously:
“Yes, we shook. No, we’re not falling.”
Experts Weigh In
According to Dr. Alan Robertson, a seismologist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University:
“This earthquake is consistent with minor intraplate seismicity in the northeastern U.S. These events are rare but not alarming. A 3.0 quake, while unlikely to cause damage, can be widely felt due to the bedrock composition in this region.”
He added that there is no current indication of aftershocks, but minor tremors could follow in the coming days.
Is New Jersey Becoming More Seismically Active?
This marks the second notable earthquake to hit New Jersey in just over a year. Back in April 2024, a magnitude 4.8 quake struck Tewksbury Township, ranking among the strongest the region had seen in more than a century. That tremor was powerful enough to be felt as far as Washington, D.C., and Boston.
Are These Quakes Connected?
Despite public speculation, geologists have confirmed that the August 2025 earthquake is not an aftershock of the 2024 quake. The epicenters are about 37 miles apart, and no direct geological link has been identified.
“This is likely a random stress release from an older fault line,” explained Dr. Robertson.
Why Do Earthquakes Happen in the Northeast?
The northeastern U.S., including New Jersey and New York, sits on what geologists call a “stable continental region”. While not as active as fault lines like the San Andreas in California, it contains ancient faults, such as the Ramapo Fault Zone, which can occasionally produce low to moderate earthquakes.
Interestingly, seismic waves travel farther in the east due to the denser bedrock. That’s why a 3.0 quake in New Jersey can be felt across multiple states, whereas the same magnitude in California might go unnoticed.
Historical Earthquakes in the Region
Here’s a brief overview of notable past earthquakes in the New Jersey–New York region:
| Year | Location | Magnitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | NYC Area | ~5.0 | Damage to chimneys; widely felt |
| 2008 | NJ (Morris County) | 2.8 | Minor, felt in several counties |
| 2011 | Virginia (Felt in NYC) | 5.8 | Widespread panic, minor NYC evacuations |
| 2024 | Tewksbury Township | 4.8 | Largest NJ quake in 100+ years |
| 2025 | Hasbrouck Heights | 3.0 | No damage, but widely felt |
Public Response and Preparedness
Although no physical damage was reported, the emotional impact was evident. Many people admitted they were unsure of what to do during the shaking.
Emergency Guidelines for Earthquakes
Authorities recommend following these simple safety steps during a quake:
- DROP: Lower yourself to the ground to reduce the risk of falling.
- COVER: Get under a heavy piece of furniture to stay safe from anything that might fall.
- HOLD ON: Stay put until the shaking stops.
Residents are also encouraged to:
- Prepare a basic emergency kit
- Know the emergency exits in their buildings
- Subscribe to emergency alerts from USGS, FEMA, and NYC Notify to stay informed about seismic activity and safety updates.
Could a Bigger Quake Strike New Jersey?
While earthquakes larger than 5.0 are rare in this region, they are not impossible. Seismologists believe that earthquakes up to magnitude 6.0 could occur along the Ramapo Fault or other nearby fault zones, although such events are very infrequent (once every few hundred years).
Most concern is focused on older masonry buildings and non-reinforced structures, especially in densely populated urban centers like Newark, Jersey City, and Lower Manhattan.
Final Thoughts
The August 2, 2025 earthquake in New Jersey may have been minor in terms of magnitude, but it served as a stark reminder that natural disasters can strike anywhere—even in regions not traditionally known for them. With no casualties or damage reported, the event provided an opportunity for residents, city officials, and scientists to review preparedness efforts and raise awareness about seismic safety.
As cities grow and infrastructure ages, ensuring earthquake readiness, even for smaller quakes, becomes a critical part of urban planning and public education.
