A 2.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Hillsdale, New Jersey, just after noon on August 5, marking the second seismic event to hit the New York City region in four days. The US Geological Survey reported the epicenter about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northwest of the Bronx, with light tremors felt across parts of the city and into Connecticut
The quake follows a 3.0 magnitude tremor on the night of August 2 in Hasbrouck Heights, roughly nine miles (14.5 kilometers) south of Hillsdale. While quakes of this strength are common elsewhere in the US, such activity is relatively rare for the New York metropolitan area. No injuries or damage have been reported in either instance.
The prospect of an earthquake is a terrifying one for many of us, and it seems like there have been a lot of earthquakes in recent years. But is the frequency increasing? Or are we now just a lot more aware of what's taking place in the wider world, thanks to increased communications and reporting? And if they have become more frequent, is climate change a contributing factor? Click on the following gallery for these answers and more.