A 2.7 magnitude earthquake hit near Hillsdale, New Jersey, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 12:11 p.m. ET. People felt it in New York City and nearby areas too. This quake comes just days after another one shook the region on Saturday. Here’s the thing: earthquakes don’t happen often in the Northeast, but they’re making news now. Let’s break it down and see what’s going on.
What Happened During the Earthquake
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says the earthquake’s epicenter was 1.2 miles southwest of Hillsdale, a small town in Bergen County, New Jersey. That’s about 28 miles from New York City. It struck at a depth of 12.4 kilometers—roughly 7.7 miles underground. People in Hillsdale said the ground shook for about five seconds. In NYC, folks in Manhattan and Brooklyn felt it too, though it was quick.
Bergen County officials jumped on it fast. Their Emergency Management team posted on Facebook that they’re watching the situation. So far, no one’s reported damage or injuries. New York City Emergency Management chimed in, saying they’re checking with other agencies to see if anything’s off in the city. Social media lit up with 290 reports of people feeling the quake, per the USGS.
How It Compares to Recent Quakes
This wasn’t a one-off. On August 3, 2025, a 3.0 magnitude quake hit near Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, just 13.5 miles from Hillsdale. Back in April 2024, a bigger 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Tewksbury, NJ. That one reached millions from Virginia to Maine. Here’s a quick look at these events:
| Date | Location | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Felt Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 5, 2024 | Tewksbury, NJ | 4.8 | 5.0 | 42 million |
| August 3, 2025 | Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | 3.0 | 10.0 | 10,000+ |
| August 5, 2025 | Hillsdale, NJ | 2.7 | 12.4 | 290 |
The Hillsdale quake was smaller, but it still got people talking. What this really means is the area’s seeing more action than usual.
How It Affected People and Places
Residents in Hillsdale and nearby Ridgewood felt the shake but said it was over fast. Leonia police confirmed the tremor reached their town too. In New York City, it wasn’t a big jolt—just enough to notice. Some folks on X posted about it, with one saying, “Thought it was a truck at first!” The Empire State Building even tweeted, “I AM FINE,” to calm everyone down.
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said his team’s on top of it—no damage yet. NYC’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Kaz Daughtry, agreed: no major issues so far. Still, they’re keeping an eye out. Small quakes like this don’t usually wreck things, but they make people pay attention.
Why People Felt It Far Away
Here’s something cool: earthquakes in the Northeast travel farther than ones out west. The ground here is older and harder, so the shaking spreads out more. That’s why a little 2.7 magnitude quake reached NYC. Experts at the USGS say this is normal for the region, even if it’s not California-level action.
Why Earthquakes Happen Here
New Jersey sits near the Ramapo Fault Zone. It’s a network of cracks in the earth running through northern NJ and into New York. These faults can slip and cause quakes, though they’re usually small. The Hillsdale and Hasbrouck Heights events are what scientists call intraplate quakes. That means they happen inside a tectonic plate, not at the edges like most big ones.
Historically, NJ’s biggest quake was a 5.3 magnitude back in 1783. The 4.8 from April 2024 was the second strongest ever recorded there. It had over 205 aftershocks, including a 3.7 just hours later. So, yeah, the ground’s been busy lately.
What Experts Say
Seismologists—people who study earthquakes—say these small shakes are no big deal damage-wise. But they’re a heads-up that the region’s not totally quiet. The USGS tracks this stuff daily. Want to dig deeper? Check out their Earthquake Hazards Program online for real-time updates.
What to Do if It Happens Again
No damage this time, but officials say stay ready. Aftershocks could pop up days or weeks later. Here’s what they suggest:
- Look around your house for cracks or loose stuff.
- Tie down heavy things like bookshelves.
- Keep an emergency kit with water, snacks, and a first aid box.
NYC Emergency Management has more tips on their site. It’s simple stuff that could help if the ground shakes again.
Pros and Cons of Living Near Faults
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rare big quakes | Small shakes surprise you |
| No major damage yet | Aftershocks possible |
| Builds stay standing | Gotta stay prepared |
Living here’s mostly safe, but it’s smart to know the risks.
How People Reacted
Social media was wild after the quake. Some New Yorkers joked about it, others were legit shocked. One X post said, “Earthquake in NYC? I need a refund on 2025 already.” Another user in NJ wrote, “Felt it in Hillsdale—short but weird!” It’s clear this got people chatting, even if it wasn’t a disaster.
My Take as a Local
I’ve lived near NYC for years, and these little quakes always catch me off guard. Last time, I was sipping coffee when the table wiggled. This one? I didn’t feel it, but my neighbor texted me right away. It’s not scary, just odd—like the earth’s reminding us it’s alive.
What’s Next for NJ and NYC
The Hillsdale NJ earthquake on August 5, 2025, didn’t break anything, but it woke us up. With two quakes in a week, people are asking: is this a trend? Experts say no need to panic—small quakes happen. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on NYC Emergency Management for updates. For now, the region’s holding steady. Stay ready, though—the ground might have more to say.
