The 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Tewksbury, New Jersey, surprised many, particularly due to widespread shaking reports from New York City while damage near the epicenter was minimal. Researchers have linked the unusual shaking pattern to the earthquake’s rupture direction, which funneled the shaking away from the epicenter. This incident has garnered significant attention as it raises important questions regarding seismic activities in the northeastern U.S.
The recent 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Tewksbury, New Jersey, has left many puzzled, especially regarding the widespread reports of shaking felt by individuals as far as 40 miles away in New York City. Despite being the largest recorded earthquake in New Jersey since 1900, damage near the epicenter was minimal. Researchers, led by YoungHee Kim from Seoul National University, sought to understand this phenomenon by analyzing the direction of the earthquake’s rupture. Their study, published in The Seismic Record, suggests that the earthquake’s rupture traveled toward the east-northeast, facilitating the funneling of shaking away from the epicenter and towards regions such as New York City, which experienced stronger tremors than expected. The earthquake garnered an unprecedented response, generating over 180,000 felt reports through the U.S. Geological Survey’s “Did You Feel It?” system, impacting an estimated 42 million residents from Virginia to Maine. Interestingly, the researchers noted that while reports from northwest and southwest of the epicenter indicated weak shaking, those in the northeast experienced light to moderate tremors. The study’s findings delineate this earthquake as unusual, as it involved a combination of thrust and strike-slip movements along potentially unidentified fault lines, diverging from typical earth movement patterns observed in the northeastern United States. Furthermore, the aftershock sequences provide insight into a hidden fault plane that may have contributed to this seismic event. The research imparts effective communication on seismic hazards and the dynamics of seismicity across eastern North America, guiding future assessments of geographical responses during seismic events. Evidence of minor structural damage near the epicenter, such as cracks in walls and fallen objects, was reported, indicating localized impacts of the quake, although extensive destruction was not observed. Seismological observations collected during this period will contribute to a deeper understanding of the crust’s response to seismic stress and may elucidate potential sources of future earthquakes in the eastern United States.
The Tewksbury earthquake on April 5, 2024, represents a significant geological event in New Jersey, being the largest quake recorded in the region for over a century. Earthquakes in this part of the U.S. are typically characterized by thrust faulting along established fault lines. However, the unusual nature of this earthquake, with minimal localized damage but widespread disturbance felt across a vast area, has prompted deeper investigations into the mechanics underlying its rupture. This incident has led researchers to reconsider conventional understandings of seismic behavior in eastern North America and explore new fault systems and their implications for future seismic activities.
In summary, the Tewksbury earthquake serves as a crucial case study for understanding earthquake dynamics in the northeastern United States. The researchers illuminate how rupture direction can significantly influence perceived shaking intensity, raising questions about established fault lines and exploring new potential sources of seismic activity in the region. Continued monitoring and research will enhance knowledge of seismic risks and prepare societies for future geological events.
Original Source: phys.org
