A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck New Jersey’s Tewksbury Township in April 2024, causing significant damage and shaking across a wide area, including New York City. Researchers, including Columbia seismologist Won-Young Kim, are studying the earthquake’s unusual energy dynamics, which resulted from the fault line’s unique geometry, to better assess future risks.
On April 7, 2024, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake rocked Tewksbury Township in northern New Jersey, marking the most significant seismic event in the New York City metropolitan area since 1884. The tremor not only disrupted the ground but also endangered the residents’ sense of safety, with over 150 buildings reported damaged in New York City alone. Unexpectedly intense and widespread shock waves were felt throughout the region, reaching as far as Maine and Virginia. A research team, which includes Columbia University seismologist Won-Young Kim, is investigating the unusual patterns of energy release associated with this earthquake, attributing the phenomenon to the fault line’s atypical geometry. Rather than the energy traveling directly upward, it initially penetrated downwards, reflecting off a dense rock layer near the Earth’s mantle, thereby dispersing seismic energy over a larger area. The ongoing study aims to map the previously uncharted fault line to better evaluate future seismic risks for the region.
The seismic activity experienced in the New York City area is largely uncommon, making an earthquake of this magnitude particularly noteworthy. As the most profound earthquake affecting the city since the late 19th century, the Tewksbury Township quake has prompted experts to reconsider existing geological assessments. The peculiar behavior of the fault line’s energy transmission offers insight into seismic dynamics that may not be fully understood, emphasizing the importance of further exploration and study within the region. The research conducted by the Columbia University’s team aims to illuminate these complex geological processes and their potential implications for urban areas that are typically considered at low risk for significant earthquakes.
The April 2024 earthquake in northern New Jersey serves as a crucial reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic activity, even in areas less commonly associated with such events. The research led by Won-Young Kim illustrates that unique geological formations can produce amplified seismic effects, resulting in widespread impacts. Through continued investigation of the fault line responsible for this earthquake, scientists aim to enhance understanding and improve preparedness for potential future seismic occurrences in the New York City metro area.
Original Source: magazine.columbia.edu
