1783 New Jersey earthquake

1783 New Jersey earthquake
Date November 30, 1783 UTC
Origin time 03:50 UTC
Magnitude 5.3 ML
Areas affected Province of New Jersey
Max. intensity VII (Very strong)

The 1783 New Jersey earthquake occurred on November 29 in the Province of New Jersey. Measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale, it stands as the most powerful earthquake to occur in the state.[1]

Damage

Shaking was felt from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania.[2] A brief foreshock occurred at 9:00 PM on November 29 (02:00 UTC on November 30) and an aftershock five hours later were reported only in New York City and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3] The earthquake caused intensity VII damage on the Mercalli intensity scale.[4] George Washington was sleeping at Fraunces Tavern when the earthquake struck, but he was not woken by the tremors.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "New Jersey Earthquake Information". USGS. 2008-07-16. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  2. ↑ "Damaging Earthquakes Felt in New Jersey". New Jersey Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  3. ↑ "Historic Earthquakes: New Jersey 1783". USGS. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  4. ↑ Dombroski Jr. R. David. "Earthquake Risk in New Jersey". New Jersey Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  5. ↑ Chernow, Ron (2010). Washington: A Life. New York: Penguin Press. ISBN 978-1-59420-266-7.

Coordinates: 40°49′08″N 74°29′53″W / 40.819°N 74.498°W / 40.819; -74.498

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