An earthquake was reported in New York City on Tuesday morning, prompting reports of an explosion on the East River’s Roosevelt Island. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 1.7 magnitude earthquake near Astoria, Queens, indicating that seismic activity can occur in eastern North America. While East Coast earthquakes are relatively rare compared to those on the West Coast, experts warn that they can still pose a significant threat.

According to the United States Geological Survey, earthquakes have been recorded in every state east of the Mississippi, and damaging earthquakes have historically occurred in nearly every eastern state. Over the last 50 years, more than 400 earthquakes of a 3.5 magnitude or greater have been recorded in eastern North America, highlighting the potential risk of seismic events in the region.

Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, emphasized that earthquakes, regardless of their location, are unpredictable and thus induce fear due to their unforeseeable nature. She stated, ‘An earthquake is an earthquake, no matter [where] it happens. The fact that earthquakes cannot be predicted is a large part of what makes them so frightening. We are much more afraid of something when we don’t know when it’s coming.’

While the recent earthquakes in Queens, New York, and Rockville, Maryland, did not result in significant destruction, it is essential to recognize the historical impact of seismic events on the East Coast. Here’s a look at some of the largest East Coast earthquakes on record:

• April 20, 2022: Au Sable Forks, N.Y., 5.1 magnitude
• August 9, 2020: Sparta, N.C., 5.1 magnitude
• November 30, 2018: Dover, Del., 4.1 magnitude
• October 16, 2012: Hollis Center, Maine, 4.7 magnitude
• August 23, 2011: Mineral, Va., 5.8 magnitude
• September 25, 1998: Meadville, Penn., 5.2 magnitude
• January 16, 1994: Reading, Penn., 4.6 magnitude
• October 7, 1983: Blue Lake Mountain, N.Y., 5.3 magnitude
• September 5, 1944: Massena, N.Y., 5.8 magnitude
• September 21, 1916: Waynesville, N.C., 5.2 magnitude
• May 31, 1897: Giles County, Va., 5.9 magnitude
• September 1, 1886: Charleston, S.C., 7.3 magnitude (60 fatalities)
• August 10, 1884: New York, N.Y., 5.5 magnitude
• November 30, 1783, N.J., 5.3 magnitude
• November 18, 1755, Cape Ann, Mass., 5.9 magnitude

The recent 1.7-magnitude earthquake near Queens, New York, serves as a reminder of the potential seismic activity in the region. As seismic events continue to occur on the East Coast, it is crucial for residents to be prepared and informed about the risks associated with earthquakes.