4.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes In Delaware, Felt In New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/CBS News) -- A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck in Delaware Thursday afternoon, and there were reports that it was felt in New York City.
The epicenter of earthquake was 10 miles north northeast of Dover, Delaware, in the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge according to Delaware Emergency Management Agency.
The U.S. Geological Survey revised the magnitude from 4.4 to 5.1, and then back down to 4.4 and later to 4.1. The earthquake happened eight miles underground.
CBS2's Lonnie Quinn explained the site of the earthquake was some distance away from the Ramapo fault line, which runs through north central New Jersey and westward through southern Pennsylvania. Small earthquakes in the 2.0-magnitude range strike in New Jersey regularly, but such a strong earthquake 75 miles from the fault line is rare, Quinn explained.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency said there were no reports of damage or injuries late Thursday.
Anyone who does suspect damage is asked to call 911, but residents are not to call 911 just to ask if an earthquake occurred, the agency said.
As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, it was a late afternoon disruption that nobody dining at the Grey Fox Grille in Dover was expecting.
"It was very brief, but it was very intense," said Diana Welch.
Surveillance video inside the Grey Fox Grille shows people relaxing in the bar when the earthquake hit at 4:48 p.m. Heads turned before everyone got up and let.
People who live near the epicenter said the shaking lasted five to 10 seconds.
"We were just looking at each other like we thought maybe a big plane from Dover Air Force Base had come down," said Linda Dempsey of Smyrna, Delaware.
"I heard a loud bang and I saw the fence right in front of us shake," another resident said. "I thought I was going crazy."
On Twitter, several people reported feeling the earthquake in New York City. Reports came in from Brooklyn, Queens and the East Village, among other locations.
Regina Ripley felt the earthquake in northern New Jersey.
"I'm like, it's either a ghost or it was -- I felt something shaking under my feet," said Ripley said.
Ripley was shaking off rattled nerves with nursing colleagues at a restaurant in New Rochelle Park late Thursday. A couple hours earlier, she shot video of her mirror swinging back and forth on the second floor of their workplace in Hackensack.
"I've never experienced something like this before," she said. "Crazy, just crazy."
Her friends felt the same slight tremors from their homes.
"My couch started shaking!" said Donette Martin Lawrence of Hackensack.
They were grateful this was only a very rare occurrence and was over quickly.
"I'm very nervous about it," Lawrence said. "Hopefully, that's it and we won't have another one."
Residents of Pennsylvania and Maryland also reported feeling the quake, CBS Philadelphia reported.
"I live just a few miles south of Dover and my home rattled pretty good and I could hear the rumble as well," said said Dover Police Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman, adding that everything seems to be running smoothly in Dover.
"My house shook for about seven seconds," said Nancy Burkley, who felt the quake in Westampton Township, New Jersey.
The quake was also felt as far north as Boston.
The site where the earthquake struck is 50 miles from Philadelphia and Atlantic City, and 125 miles from New York City.
