Light to moderate shaking occurred throughout the state of Maine, as well as in areas of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, on Monday due to an earthquake that was centered off the coast of the state.
Just before 10:30 a.m. ET, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake as a 3.8-magnitude temblor. About 45 miles southwest of Portland, off the coast of York Harbor, Maine, was the epicenter.
As of right now, there have been no reports of fatalities or major damage, and the National Weather Service has not issued any tsunami watches, warnings, or advisories.
Within the following week, there is a 15% chance of at least one aftershock of magnitude 3 or higher, according to the USGS estimate.
Since a 4.8-magnitude earthquake near Lebanon, New Jersey, in April, this event was the biggest earthquake recorded in the northeastern United States. According to USGS data, that tremor was the strongest to hit the Northeast in almost a decade.
“The shaking reminds us that earthquakes are unusual but not unheard of along the Atlantic Seaboard,” the agency stated on X.
Since earthquakes are not as common in the Northeast as they are in other seismic hotspots in the nation, even slight shaking might occasionally result in damage.
In a statement released on X, the Maine Emergency Management Agency acknowledged the morning earthquake and advised anyone who experienced local shaking to contact the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program with their findings.