Breaking News : Earthquake Jolts Hasbrouck Heights: 3.0 Magnitude Quake Rattles NJ and NYC

Hasbrouck Heights Rattled by a Mild Quake

At 10:18 p.m. EDT on August 2, 2025, a 3.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Hasbrouck Heights in Bergen County, New Jersey, approximately 6.2 miles (10 km) beneath the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) USGS+11ABC News+11New York Post+11ABC News+3The Press Group+3New York Post+3.

Though small in scale, the quake was felt across the New York metropolitan area including Upper Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and parts of northern New Jersey, with residents reporting brief shaking and even loud booming sensations AP News+1New York Post+1.

Strong Sensation, Minimal Impact

Witnesses described the tremor as a sharp thud, followed by seconds of swaying—some compared the sound to a vehicle crashing nearby. A notable remark echoed widely on social media: the Empire State Building’s X profile humorously tweeted, "I AM FINE" after users speculated it might have been affected New York Post+2ABC News+2AP News+2.

Despite the strong sensation, no injuries or structural damage have been reported. Emergency management authorities confirmed that all essential services remain fully functional, and there are no ongoing safety concerns ABC News+4AP News+4New York Post+4.

Why Was a Small Quake Felt So Far?

• The epicenter’s proximity to dense urban centers meant the shaking was perceptible over a wide area.

• Shallow depth at around 10 km intensified surface motion.

• The region’s bedrock geology transmits seismic energy efficiently, so even magnitudes as low as 3.0 can be widely felt—with minimal risk ABC News+3AP News+3en.wikipedia.org+3The Times of India+7CBS News+7News 12 - Default+7.

Seismic History: Not the First Wake-Up Call

Although earthquakes are rare in this region, northeastern U.S. tremors do occur. In April 2024, a 4.8-magnitude earthquake originating from Tewksbury Township, NJ was felt from Maine to Virginia with minor disruptions but no major damage. That quake produced over 200 aftershocks, including a 3.7-magnitude event within hours en.wikipedia.org+1CBS News+1.

Smaller events—like ones in Morris County earlier in July 2025—also occurred, though none were strong enough to trigger public alerts New Jersey 101.5.

What Comes Next: Preparedness & Monitoring

Officials stress aftershocks are possible in the coming hours or days. USGS advises residents to remain vigilant and report any tremors through local "Did You Feel It?" portals.
Local authorities continue to monitor the situation and have emphasized that no immediate safety actions are needed.

At-a-Glance Summary

Online Safety Note

While the tremor caused significant social media chatter, the risk to residents remains low. It serves as a reminder that even the East Coast can experience noticeable seismic activity. Earthquake awareness—such as "what to do if you feel shaking"—continues to be important, especially in areas where such events are uncommon.