Community Corner

Officials Address Tsunami Impact and New Jersey's History of Earthquakes

Record earthquake was in late 1700s for New Jersey

Meteorologists from the Mount Holly office of the National Weather Service said no tsunami warnings have been triggered from the earthquake that occurred in Virginia Tuesday afternoon.

Mitchell Gaines, of the Mount Holly office, said no warnings have been triggered by the 5.9 magnitude quake centered inland Virginia around 1:50 p.m.

Gaines, however declined to say whether a tsunami warning could be in the offing.

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"I cannot comment on that at this time,'' Gaines said. "We have not received any tsunami warnings at this time.''

According to the Federal Emergency Management Association, New Jersey ranks low on the list of states at risk for experiencing an earthquake.

Earthquake hazards are measured as the likelihood of experiencing earthquake shaking of various intensities, according to FEMA.

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Northern New Jersey is put in a category that's low on the list and described as "having a hazard shaking of moderate intensity," which could be felt by all and could lead to slight damage.

Southern New Jersey is put in a category described as having"a small probability of experiencing damaging earth­quake effects."

Biggest reported quake in NJ was in 1783 and was a 5.3 magnitude.
If you haven’t already, sign up for the USGS earthquake notification service for your area: https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens/


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