Major earthquake rattles sections of New Jersey and New York in Bergen County
In a series of events that shook the northeastern United States, Bergen County, New Jersey, experienced a series of earthquakes over the past few years. The latest earthquake occurred on Saturday night, centred in Hasbrouck Heights, and was followed by a series of aftershocks.
The initial quake, which registered 3.0 on the Richter Scale, occurred on July 21 and was preceded by an earlier quake on the same day, registering at 1.6 in magnitude. Five aftershocks followed on July 22, with the fourth registering 2.0 in magnitude.
While earthquakes of this size are rarely damaging and usually go unnoticed, according to geologists, residents are advised to look for shifted items, fallen debris, and cracks. New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that at the time, there was no structural damage reported. Residents can report non-emergency damage by calling 311 in New York City.
The Ramapo Fault, which runs through northern New Jersey, including near Bergen County, is known for producing frequent small earthquakes, typically localized and felt within a limited radius. The 2022 quake was the second strongest earthquake in New Jersey history, with the strongest recorded in the state being a 5.3 magnitude quake in 1783. This historical seismic event remains a significant one for the region.
Bergen County, in particular, has experienced multiple small to moderate earthquakes historically. For instance, on August 2, 2025, a 3.0 magnitude earthquake occurred near Hasbrouck Heights, felt as far as 60 miles away, including parts of New York City, with no reported damage or injuries. On August 5, 2025, a 2.7 magnitude quake hit near Hillsdale in Bergen County, with officials monitoring for aftershocks but no major damage reported.
Earlier in 2025 and 2024, the area experienced smaller tremors, such as a 2.4 magnitude quake in January 2025 and a 4.8 magnitude quake centered near Tewksbury in April 2024 that shook buildings up to New York City and was felt across the East Coast without significant damage but with numerous aftershocks.
Overall, while recent earthquakes in Bergen County have been minor and caused no significant damage, the historical record indicates that the region is susceptible to moderate seismic activity that can be felt across neighboring areas including New York and other parts of New Jersey. Emergency management officials advise preparedness for aftershocks and safe responses during quakes.
Zinnia Maldonado contributed to this report.
References: [1] News 12 New Jersey. (2025). Multiple earthquakes hit Bergen County, New Jersey. Retrieved from https://www.news12.com/story/50136934/multiple-earthquakes-hit-bergen-county-new-jersey
[2] NJ.com. (2025). Earthquake hits Bergen County, New Jersey: What we know. Retrieved from https://www.nj.com/news/2025/08/earthquake-hits-bergen-county-new-jersey-what-we-know.html
[3] ABC7NY. (2025). Earthquake strikes Bergen County, New Jersey, felt in NYC. Retrieved from https://abc7ny.com/earthquake-bergen-county-new-jersey-nyc/
[4] The Weather Channel. (2025). Earthquake hits Bergen County, New Jersey: What we know. Retrieved from https://weather.com/news/news/2025-08-05-earthquake-hits-bergen-county-new-jersey
[5] CNN. (2025). Earthquake hits Bergen County, New Jersey: What we know. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/05/us/earthquake-bergen-county-new-jersey-trnd/index.html
Politically speaking, adequate preparation and evacuation plans could help residents of the northeastern United States, particularly Bergen County, New Jersey, respond effectively during future seismic events, given the region's historical susceptibility to moderate earthquakes. In the general news sector, the latest seismic activity in Bergen County was extensively covered by several media outlets, providing updates on the magnitude, damage, and emergency responses.
