New York, NY – Some New Yorkers were jolted awake early in the morning by a 1.7 magnitude earthquake in Astoria, Queens, causing confusion and concern among residents. The United States Geological Survey confirmed that the quake struck around 5:45 on Tuesday, initially leading some to believe it was a building explosion. According to the USGS geophysicist Jessica Turner, the earthquake’s small size would not cause serious damage to buildings, but residents in high-rise buildings may have felt more pronounced shaking.
Residents in the area, including those in the nearby Roosevelt Island, reported hearing loud bangs that shook their buildings. One resident, Jennifer Cohen, described the experience as something more intense than just a typical earthquake. The New York City Emergency Management Department issued alerts about road closures and mass transit disruptions in the area and emergency personnel near Roosevelt Island. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the New York City Fire Department, along with Con Edison, investigated the cause of the suspected blast.
Con Edison spokesperson Allan Drury later reported that crews found no damage, outages, or explosions connected to their equipment, confirming that the event was indeed an earthquake. The tremors were reportedly felt as far away as Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Long Island City, prompting residents to take to social media to confirm their experience. The USGS confirmed that these reports were accurate, with the earthquake impacting a wider area than initially thought.
In conclusion, the 1.7 magnitude earthquake in Astoria, Queens, caused confusion and concern among New York residents, who initially believed it to be a building explosion. The event, while small, was felt in various parts of the city and surrounding areas, leading to alerts and investigations by emergency personnel and utility companies. The situation ultimately served as a reminder for residents in the area to be vigilant and prepared for such unexpected events.