4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks CT: Did You Feel it?

CONNECTICUT — The U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed the noise you heard and the rumbling you felt Friday morning was, indeed, an earthquake.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was detected with an epicenter identified seven kilometers north northeast of Whitehouse Station in New Jersey, according to the USGS, which monitors earthquakes. Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude as measured on a seismogram.

"As of this time, we have not received any reports of significant structural damage caused by this morning’s earthquake, Gov. Ned Lamont reported on X. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have partially activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center and we are asking towns to report any issues."

A spokesperson for The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security said the agency is continuing to monitor the situation.

A Patch reader in Vernon told us,"I felt my chair vibrate back and forth slightly and, at first, I thought it was somebody nudging my chair to get by, but when I saw no one, I became perplexed."

An employee of The Community Health Resources Center in Manchester reported that "the entire facility shook," and an East Windsor couple reported their "couch shook."

A New Haven resident said they felt a "Tremble for a second, then a side by side shimmy for a second then full shaking of the house for 5-10 seconds...Shook enough for my coffee cup to spill coffee!"

"We felt it too! Everyone in our buildings are safe. At the moment, only Central MS has been impacted, out an abundance of caution. CMS families have been contacted directly," the Greenwich Public Schools wrote on X.

Reports of buildings shaking began about 10:20 a.m. and lasted for approximately 30 seconds. The USGS considers a magnitude 5.3 as a "moderate" earthquake, and a 6.3 as a "strong" quake.

"We are receiving calls regarding concern over news of an earthquake recently felt in New Jersey," the Enfield Public Schools posted on X. "Some students/staff felt a tiny movement for a brief time. All students are safe and school buildings are secure. Thank you for your time; we hope you have a wonderful spring break."

A Stratford resident said she initially thought it was a truck outside her house and she felt a vibration and was stunned to learn it was an earthquake.

A reader in Milford, a few miles away from the Stratford Bridge and Milford Hospital, said she felt "the whole second floor of [her] home move."

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the earthquake was felt across Connecticut. "There have been no critical incidents or damage reported in Stamford at this point. We will continue to monitor the situation & provide any updates," Simmons said.

Darien police said, "Preliminary information is indicating that our area just sustained an earthquake (10:23hrs)...At this time there is no reported damage to property or injury to persons in Darien. "

Norwalk police said, "The City of Norwalk is aware of the reported 4.8 magnitude earthquake that was felt in parts of Connecticut...There are no known damages in the City of Norwalk at this time."

Fairfield police said, "There has been seismic activity felt in Fairfield and throughout the surrounding area. We are aware of the situation. If anyone has experienced an emergency as a result of this activity, please call 911. However, we kindly ask that you refrain from calling to report the incident as we are aware of the occurrence. There have been no reports of damage or resulting emergencies at this time."

The earthquake was felt in Westport, but according to police, there have been no reports of damage. "[We] will provide more information when available," Westport police said in a statement.

"We definitely felt it here, but do not have any reports of damage at this time," Waterford police said.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, more than 100,000 people have reported they felt the earthquake, according to WTNH.

RELATED: New Details Released On Impact Of Earthquake In Connecticut

Though no California, Connecticut is no stranger to earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 1.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred 2 km east-southeast of Ledyard just last week., and a similar phenomenon was reported in East Hampton earlier in March.

The largest earthquake to ever hit Connecticut was May 16, 1791, centered in Moodus, according to CT Humanities. Those were pre-seismograph times, but it was reported that the shocks were felt as far away as New York City and Boston. Moodus has a long history of rattling teacups, which continues to this day.

If you find yourself in the midst of an earthquake, the USGS recommends you stay indoors and steer clear of windows, kitchens, fireplaces and heavy furniture. Already outside? Get away from buildings, power lines or any other structures that could fall. If you are driving, carefully stop and stay away from bridges, overpasses, light posts and power lines. When the shaking stops, watch for breaks in the pavement or falling debris.