According to USGS, Connecticut has been struck by two earthquakes over the last 7 days. The first struck on Monday at 11:55 am near North Stamford. That earthquake registered as a magnitude 1.3 event and was responsible for 23 people sending shaking reports into USGS via their “Did you feel it?” online reporting tool. The second struck at 7:33 pm last night in the central part of the state near Moodus, located in the middle of the state half way between Waterbury and Norwich. This second quake was stronger; according to USGS, it registered as a magnitude 2.3 event and generated over 120 reports into USGS of people feeling the shaking from it. The first earthquake struck from a depth of 5 km while the second earthquake was more shallow at 2.5 km.
While shaking was reported from both, there were no reports of any damage or injuries.
The most recent and stronger earthquake was located in an area infamous for its “Moodus Noises.” The area has had a history of seismic activity and due to the geology there, even minor earthquakes create loud booms, rumbles, and/or mysterious sounds.
Reports of these “Moodus Noises” stretch back centuries; Native Americans called the area Machimoodus, which means “Place of Bad Noises.” They attributed the noises to evil spirits and Gods. Years later, English colonists later associated the noises with witches or the Devil.
Connecticut is no stranger to earthquakes. Earlier this March, three earthquakes struck on the same day. Those quakes, located in the eastern part of the state, produced plenty of shaking reports but no damage.
But damaging earthquakes do occur from time to time in the state. The strongest earthquake to strike on record struck on May 16, 1791. Estimated to be a magnitude 4.4 to 5.0 event, it knocked down chimneys and stone walls, threw open doors in homes, and also created a fissure in the ground several yards long. That seismic event was actually 2 earthquakes in quick succession and was followed by dozens of lighter aftershocks.
