I’ve no clue what would be an apt analogy, but the geology of the area is basically old basalt and clay-- much denser and therefore much more effective at transmitting seismic energy than the softer sedimentary rock out West. Add to that the fact that the prevailing architecture of the area is not constructed with significant seismic activity in mind. We have a lot of old stone or unreinforced brick-and-mortar structures, cast iron utility lines and tall iron frame or riveted steel buildings. All rigid structures that tend to be susceptible to shear or torsion forces. Also, earthquakes here of larger than a M3.0 are pretty rare, and people have no idea what to do when one occurs. M2.0+ is just freight trains and highway noise to us.
Not many people know it but there are several active fault lines through the region. Today’s event likely arose out of the Ramapo fault system, which is an old but still active fault line.
Compare this to the situation on the West coast where softer, sedimentary rock and modern building practices that account for significant seismic activity mitigate damage because anything that didnt, didn’t survive for that long.
I’ve no idea the geology of where you’re posting from OP, but I know its prone to earthquakes. I’m sure the architecture in the area accounts for that, which mitigates damage.
So where a M4.7 might be just another Friday elsewhere, here in the Northeast they can be a pretty big deal, both for their novelty and for their potential to damage structures. I’m located within 20 miles of the epicenter myself, and I was genuinely concerned the structure might sustain damage. Pretty sure I see at least one or two new cracks in the spackle around a couple door frames in the corner of the house towards the epicenter.
As for what it felt like? Everything rattled pretty hard, glass was clinking and some small bric-a-brac items fell over. It was sustained over maybe 60 to 75 seconds. Longer and more than I’ve ever felt in any tremor I’ve ever been in. Any stronger, and I thing there would have been significant damage in my area.
I’ve no clue what would be an apt analogy, but the geology of the area is basically old basalt and clay-- much denser and therefore much more effective at transmitting seismic energy than the softer sedimentary rock out West. Add to that the fact that the prevailing architecture of the area is not constructed with significant seismic activity in mind. We have a lot of old stone or unreinforced brick-and-mortar structures, cast iron utility lines and tall iron frame or riveted steel buildings. All rigid structures that tend to be susceptible to shear or torsion forces. Also, earthquakes here of larger than a M3.0 are pretty rare, and people have no idea what to do when one occurs. M2.0+ is just freight trains and highway noise to us.
Not many people know it but there are several active fault lines through the region. Today’s event likely arose out of the Ramapo fault system, which is an old but still active fault line.
Compare this to the situation on the West coast where softer, sedimentary rock and modern building practices that account for significant seismic activity mitigate damage because anything that didnt, didn’t survive for that long.
I’ve no idea the geology of where you’re posting from OP, but I know its prone to earthquakes. I’m sure the architecture in the area accounts for that, which mitigates damage.
So where a M4.7 might be just another Friday elsewhere, here in the Northeast they can be a pretty big deal, both for their novelty and for their potential to damage structures. I’m located within 20 miles of the epicenter myself, and I was genuinely concerned the structure might sustain damage. Pretty sure I see at least one or two new cracks in the spackle around a couple door frames in the corner of the house towards the epicenter.
As for what it felt like? Everything rattled pretty hard, glass was clinking and some small bric-a-brac items fell over. It was sustained over maybe 60 to 75 seconds. Longer and more than I’ve ever felt in any tremor I’ve ever been in. Any stronger, and I thing there would have been significant damage in my area.