8-31-2022 12:00pm

Earthquake Hits Morristown, NJ

On Tuesday evening around 5:14 pm, a magnitude-2.3 earthquake struck parts of Morris County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The magnitude-2.3 earthquake struck just before 5:15 pm about a half mile West-Southwest of White Meadow Lake in Rockaway Township and lasted a short 30-seconds, according to a USGS official.

The quake was focused approximately 3 miles below the ground surface and the entire event likely passed in less than a minute.

After the initial quake, a smaller 1.7-magnitude potential aftershock was recorded in the same area just after 6:30 pm.

This event was likely connected to the Ramapo Fault Line, which forms the boundary between the Newark Basin and the Highlands, running southwest to northeast from Schaefferstown, PA through Morristown, NJ, and up to Haverstraw, NY. The Ramapo Fault Line is considered an active fault line, according to USGS officials.

Yesterday’s (Tuesday, 8/30/2022) earthquake was the largest earthquake to hit our area since 2015, when a magnitude-2.6 earthquake hit near Mendham, just a few miles from yesterday’s quake.

The earthquake was minor in all respects, but it was certainly strong enough for some people in the Morris County area to feel. Living on top of the quake may feel like your house just got hit by a truck! The smaller magnitude-1.7 quake that followed and was likely an aftershock – but still unconfirmed – was likely unfelt by most residents in the area.

While law enforcement, first responders, and even Morristown Minute received multiple reports of residents feeling the quake, no injuries or damages were reported.

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