Here's What Caused Earthquake That Shook NJ: USGS

NEW JERSEY — Residents along the entire east coast reported shaking Friday morning as one of the largest earthquakes in recent history struck the area - and now, experts are sharing what caused it.

The 4.8 magnitude earthquake was detected at about 10:23 a.m. near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, according to United States Geological Survey (USGS), which tracks seismic activity. While a quake of this magnitude is relatively small globally, because of its location it was felt widely, the USGS said, due to "efficient seismic wave propagation."

It was caused by oblique reverse and strike-slip faulting at shallow depths in the crust, the USGS said. It didn't occur near a plate boundary, but these "intraplate" earthquakes can and do occur, per the USGS.

"Earthquakes in the eastern US are infrequent but not unexpected," the USGS said. "Since 1950, 40 other earthquakes of magnitude 3 and larger have occurred within 250 km of today’s earthquake."

In that time, Friday's earthquake is the largest, according to the USGS.

And within 500 km of the April 5 earthquake. 13 earthquakes M 4.5 and larger have been recorded since 1950. The largest of these was the Aug. 23, 2011 Mineral Virginia earthquake which caused substantial damage and was felt throughout the eastern US, the USGS said.

Friday's earthquake happened where "faults have been previously identified and may be reactivated at any time," the USGS said.

Minimal damage stemming from Friday's quake has been reported. That is, except for Newark, where several homes were apparently left unstable and "leaning" in the wake of the quake. Read more: Several Homes Seen 'Leaning' In Newark After Earthquake: Reports

A magnitude 2.0 earthquake was detected about seven miles west of Bedminster, New Jersey at noon. Read more: Second Earthquake Hits NJ

See the latest updates on the earthquake's impacts here.

This article contains additional reporting by Patch's Nicole Rosenthal.