2.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Concord

CONCORD, NH — An earthquake was reported in Concord on Friday night.

A 2.7 magnitude earthquake struck the area between the Soucook River and Sheep Davis Road-Route 106 near the Steeplegate Mall. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the earthquake occurred at 11:15 p.m. but was about four or five minutes before that.

The USGS said the quake was around 5 kilometers or slightly more than 3 miles deep.

Both Concord police and Merrimack County dispatch received calls about the earthquake, which lasted a few seconds, sounded like a loud explosion, and shook homes. One woman in Loudon reported to police she thought a car had struck her house. Officers in Concord patrolled the downtown to ensure the loud boom was not an explosion. Shortly after the quake, there were also a few alarm activations.

Around 11:30 p.m., the USGS officially reported the quake in Concord.

New Hampshire has become a hotbed of small earthquakes in the past decade or so.

In Andover in May, there was a 2.2 magnitude earthquake along Route 4. In January, a 1.9 hit Bow. About 13 months ago, a 2.1 quake struck Lake Winnisquam. And in May 2022, a 2.2 hit in Wolfeboro. Between 2012 and 2020, earthquakes were reported in Bedford, Concord, Contoocook, Hampton, Hopkinton, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, Salem, Sanbornton, Tilton, and Windham.

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