An earthquake tremor occurred this morning in New England that was also felt in the Boston area. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), it was a magnitude 3.8 earthquake, downgraded from an initial magnitude of 4.1, and that its epicenter was located off the coast of New England and Maine in York Harbor, about 22 kilometers underground. The quake was felt around 10:22 a.m. It was therefore of low intensity and did not appear to produce any damage. However, it did generate episodes of panic and fear among people, as this is a very rare event in both the Massachusetts city and nearby areas.
The quake was also felt in Rhode Island and in Concord and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, however, said it did not receive any calls about damage or injuries during Monday morning. In any case, officials stressed that anyone concerned about possible structural damage to their homes or businesses should contact their local fire department.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency also said it received reports of earthquake tremors felt in the state, but there were no immediate reports of damage. Also, according to the USGS, there is no tsunami threat in New England so far.
