Northern New Jersey experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday, disrupting air traffic in the region and causing delays for Amtrak services.
The earthquake epicentered near Lebanon, NJ, situated just west of New York City, according to reports from the United States Geological Survey. The tremors were felt at approximately 10:23 a.m. ET.
Following the seismic event, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) promptly enacted a temporary ground stop for Newark Liberty International Airport, located approximately 40 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter. The ground stop was lifted around 12:30 p.m. local time, transitioning to a ground delay advisory in effect until approximately 10 p.m.
Additionally, Newark Airport’s AirTrain service was temporarily suspended, as confirmed by airport officials.
By noon on Friday, FlightAware’s flight tracker reported over 100 departing flights from Newark experiencing delays, along with 90 inbound flights bound for the New Jersey airport.
While operations continued as normal at the area’s other major airports, LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, the latter initially experienced a temporary ground stop, subsequently lifted.
Meanwhile, Amtrak undertook inspections of its tracks and implemented speed restrictions in the Northeast as part of its earthquake response protocol. The rail company cautioned passengers to anticipate delays.
In response to the earthquake, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued advisories urging individuals to prepare for potential aftershocks.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy activated the State Emergency Operations Center and urged residents to refrain from dialing 911 unless faced with a genuine emergency.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York reassured the public, stating that there were no reports of damages or injuries. However, she directed state agencies to conduct thorough assessments of critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, railways, transmission lines, and dams, to ensure safety.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced in a statement that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the earthquake and remained in contact with his team, which is closely monitoring potential impacts. The White House is coordinating with federal, state, and local authorities as further information becomes available.