The dramatic New Jersey earthquake sequence which began with a 4.8 magnitude event on Friday, April 5, appears to be over for now, with a total of 53 earthquakes measured from April 5 through to April 12. The last earthquake detected in the region was a 1.9 magnitude earthquake which struck on April 12 at 9:05 am from a depth of 5.0 km near Gladstone.
Beyond the magnitude 4.8 earthquake, there were moderate aftershocks too. According to USGS, 3.7 magnitude event struck near Bedminster just before 6 pm on April 5, with 10 other earthquakes measuring as a 2.0 or greater magnitude event.
Beyond rattling nerves, the earthquake also damaged the contents of homes and businesses. In Berkeley Heights, Union County, New Jersey, the Berkeley Heights Fire Department reported that the foundation of a home there failed and that the primary earthquake on April 5 was a contributing factor. A Brooklyn middle school gym was deemed unsafe after a Department of Buildings inspection found cracks inside; the rest of the school at 370 Fountain Avenue was determined to be safe. Dozens of gas and water leaks were reported in the region, leaving people without utilities like power or water.
While odds are the earthquake sequence is over, USGS says there is still a slight chance of more aftershocks over the next 30 days. In their latest aftershock forecast, they report there is a 15% chance that a magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquake will hit again; those odds drop down to 2% for a magnitude 4.0 or greater event.
