Has New York Had An Earthquake Before
🤯Hold Up, New York Shakes? Your Guide to Quakes in the Big Apple (Spoiler: Yep, it has!)
If you're anything like a true-blue New Yorker, your definition of "shaking" probably involves an overheated subway car, a too-strong latte, or maybe getting bumped by a tourist trying to take a selfie in Times Square. But seriously, earthquakes? In New York? You bet your bottom dollar, this East Coast metropolis and the wider state have been rattled more than a few times throughout history!
We're talkin' about a place that's miles away from those famous, high-drama, tectonic plate boundaries like the one making California go bonkers. But don't get it twisted—being on the edge of the North American Plate doesn't make us immune. Sure, the biggest quakes happen where plates meet, but the East Coast has its own spicy seismic cocktail of ancient, reactivated faults lurking beneath the surface, a geologic echo from when continents collided eons ago (Street & Lacroix, 1979; Skehan & Rast, 1983). It’s like an old car that seems fine, but has some serious unresolved issues under the hood.
This isn't just folklore; it's certified, historical fact. Since 1737, the state has been shaken by hundreds of felt earthquakes (USGS, 1984). New York City itself is categorized as having a moderate level for potential earthquakes by the USGS (NCEER, 2007). But here’s the kicker: with nearly a trillion dollars in assets and so many buildings constructed before modern seismic codes (pre-1996), that "moderate" hazard translates to a high risk of loss (NCEER, 2007). Talk about a risk-reward ratio that stinks! So, pull up a chair, grab a bagel, and let's get down to the brass tacks of New York's surprisingly shaky past and how to keep your apartment from turning into a pile of rubble.
Step 1: 🕰️ Digging Up the Dirt on NYC's Shakiest Moments
We're going way back, before you could even tweet about the tremors. New York has a long record of seismic activity that the early European settlers noticed, and as the population grew, so did the number of reported events (NYSGA, 1989). These aren't just little "oopsie" tremors, either—we're talking events that actually caused some damage.
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| Has New York Had An Earthquake Before |
1.1 The OG Shakers: 1737 and 1884
The 1737 Wake-Up Call: The December 18th, 1737 earthquake, estimated to be around a magnitude () 5.0, caused enough rattling to make chimneys fall in New York City (Coffman & Hake, 1982). Imagine that for a Christmas surprise!
The Big Kahuna of 1884: The biggest and perhaps best-documented event for the NYC area was the August 10th, 1884 earthquake, clocking in at an estimated 5.2. Its epicenter was right off Rockaway Beach. It was a strong shock, felt across a massive 70,000 square miles, from Vermont to Maryland! In the city itself, it frightened folks and caused falling bricks, cracked plaster, and rattling crockery across all five boroughs (NCEER, 2007; NYSGA, 1989). No fatalities, thankfully, but a serious scare. It was a whole mess of non-structural damage that had New Yorkers saying, "Hold up, this isn't California!"
1.2 State-Wide Tremors: Beyond the Five Boroughs
New York State has seen some bigger events that have been widely felt in the city, even if the epicenter wasn't under a brownstone in Brooklyn.
The Blue Mountain Lake Rattle: The October 7, 1983 earthquake in the central Adirondack Mountains near Blue Mountain Lake registered a preliminary Richter magnitude of 5.2. It was felt all the way across the Northeastern U.S. and Canada (USGS, 1984). Imagine having your morning coffee get sloshed by a geological event 200 miles away!
Modern Day Jitters: Even more recently, smaller, but still noticeable, quakes have occurred. For instance, in 1985, a magnitude 4.0 quake rattled Smithtown, Long Island, centered in Ardsley, Westchester County (SUNY, 2020). The shaking lasted less than a minute, but a minute of unexpected shaking is plenty to make you spill your extra-large soda.
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
Step 2: 🛠️ The "Get-Your-Life-Together" Preparedness Guide
Okay, enough with the history lesson. The bottom line is that a moderate earthquake is possible, and the potential for a major catastrophe due to old, non-seismically-designed buildings is real (NCEER, 2007). You gotta be prepared. It’s not about panicking; it’s about being smart, not sorry.
2.1 The "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" Drill
This is the golden rule, the Gospel of Quake Safety.
Drop: As soon as you feel shaking, immediately drop to your hands and knees. This stops you from being knocked over.
Cover: Get under a sturdy table or desk. If there isn't one nearby, get next to an interior wall, and cover your head and neck with your arms. Don't try to bolt out the door—that's a rookie move.
Hold On: Stay put until the shaking stops. If you're under a table, hold onto one of the legs. Be ready to move with the table if it slides.
2.2 Securing Your Pad: The Pre-Quake Mitigation Checklist
This is where you earn your preparedness merit badge. A lot of earthquake injuries are caused by falling stuff, not collapsing buildings. Time to get those heavy objects sorted out.
Anchor the Titans: Use straps or earthquake putty to secure tall, heavy furniture like bookcases, China cabinets, and large dressers to wall studs. Think of it as giving your furniture a seatbelt.
Tame the Wall Art: Large, heavy mirrors and framed pictures should be hung with closed-loop hooks so they can’t jump off the wall. Better yet, don't hang that huge family portrait directly over your bed.
Cabinet Lockdown: Install strong latches on kitchen and bedroom cabinets, especially those with glass or breakable items. That vintage collection of porcelain dolls deserves better than to smash on the floor.
Boiler and Heater Straps: If you live in a house, check that your water heater and furnace are properly secured to the wall studs. A detached water heater can cause a nasty flood and a gas leak.
2.3 The "Go-Bag" Hustle
You need a solid emergency kit, a "Go-Bag," ready to roll in case you need to evacuate or shelter in place for a few days. Don't cheap out on this—it’s your survival starter pack.
H2O and Snacks: Non-perishable food and at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for three days.
First-Aid Essentials: A complete first-aid kit, along with any necessary prescription medications.
Tech and Light: Flashlight, extra batteries, a hand-crank or battery-powered radio (to hear official reports when the power is out), and a portable phone charger.
Personal Docs: Copies of important documents (insurance policies, identification) in a waterproof bag.
Cash Money: ATMs might be down. Keep some small bills stashed in the bag.
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
Step 3: 📞 The Post-Quake Move-Set
The shaking stops, but the danger hasn't left the building. This is when cool heads prevail.
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3.1 Check Yourself, Then Check Your Folks
Assess Injuries: Tend to yourself first, then check on others. Apply first aid as needed.
Look for Hazards: The first danger is often the aftermath. Be on the lookout for broken glass, downed power lines, or spilled chemicals. Don’t be a hero and wade through a pool of unknown liquid.
3.2 Safety Check Your Home
Gas Leaks: Sniff around for the smell of natural gas (rotten eggs). If you smell it or hear a hissing noise, open a window and immediately get everyone outside. If you know how, and it's safe, turn off the main gas valve. Do not turn it back on yourself—wait for the utility company.
Electrical Damage: Look for sparks, broken wiring, or damaged appliances. If you see any of these, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box.
Chimney & Foundation: Be careful around chimneys, as they can be unstable. Visually check your foundation for large cracks or damage.
3.3 Stay Informed, Stay Off the Phone
Use the Radio: Use your battery-powered radio for official emergency information.
Text, Don't Talk: Unless it's a life-threatening emergency, use text messages or social media instead of phone calls. Cell networks will be overloaded, and a simple text takes up way less bandwidth than a voice call, keeping lines open for true emergencies.
You might live in a place known for its pizza and traffic, not its tremors, but history proves that New York is part of a seismically active region. A little preparation goes a long way. Stay safe, New York!
FAQ Questions and Answers
Tip: Reading in chunks improves focus.
How often does New York City actually experience an earthquake?
The New York City area has experienced moderate earthquake activity throughout its history, with significant events like the 5.0 in 1737 and the 5.2 in 1884 (NCEER, 2007). While large quakes are infrequent compared to the West Coast, the region is classified as having a moderate seismic hazard (NCEER, 2007; NYSGA, 1989).
How to protect my family during an earthquake?
The primary protective action is Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop to your hands and knees, get under a sturdy piece of furniture (like a table or desk), and hold onto it until the shaking stops (McBride et al., 2022). Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
How to secure furniture in my apartment to prevent earthquake damage?
Use flexible straps, anchors, or closed-loop fasteners to secure tall, heavy furniture, like bookcases and cabinets, to wall studs (NCEER, 2007). Use latches on cabinet doors to keep contents from spilling out.
What is the biggest earthquake ever recorded in New York?
One of the largest in New York State's recorded history was the Blue Mountain Lake earthquake on October 7, 1983, which registered a preliminary Richter magnitude of 5.2 (USGS, 1984). The largest historically documented for the NYC area was the August 10, 1884 event, with an estimated 5.2 (NCEER, 2007).
Tip: Use the structure of the text to guide you.
How to shut off the gas and electricity after a quake?
If you smell gas (rotten eggs) or hear a hissing noise, you should safely turn off your home's main gas valve if you know how. Crucially, never turn the gas back on yourself—wait for the utility company (NCEER, 2007). If you see sparks or damaged wiring, turn off the electricity at the main circuit breaker.
References
Coffman, J. L., & Hake, C. A. (1982). Earthquake history of the United States: Publication 41-1. U.S. Geological Survey.
McBride, S. K., Smith, H., Morgoch, M., Sumy, D., Jenkins, M., Peek, L., Bostrom, A., Baldwin, D., Reddy, E., de Groot, R., Becker, J., Johnston, D., & Wood, M. (2022). Evidence-based guidelines for protective actions and earthquake early warning systems. GEOPHYSIC
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). (2007). Earthquake loss estimation for the New York City area. National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research.
New York State Geological Association (NYSGA). (1989). Are seismically active faults in the NYC area delineated by geological features that are observable at the earth's surface?. NYSGA Online.
Skehan, J. W., & Rast, N. (Eds.). (1983). Rifted continental margins and associated structures: Northeast North America. Springer.
Street, R. L., & Lacroix, A. (1979). The largest historical earthquakes in the northeastern United States. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 69(1), 1–16.
State University of New York (SUNY). (2020). Seismological analysis and the effects of earthquakes in New York and Long Island. Stony Brook University.
U.S Geological Survey (USGS). (1984). Blue Mountain Lake, New York, earthquake of October 7, 1983. Earthquake Information Bulletin (USGS), 16(1), 23-23.
Would you like me to find more information on the specific earthquake faults running through the New York City area?
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