1783 New Jersey earthquake

1783 New Jersey earthquake
Date

November 30, 1783

Local: November 29
Origin time

03:50 UTC

Local: 10:50 PM
Magnitude 5.3 (Richter scale)
Areas affected USA
Tsunami none

The 1783 New Jersey earthquake occurred on November 29, 1783 in the U.S. state 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 and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3] The earthquake caused intensity VII damage on the Mercalli scale.[4] George Washington was sleeping at Fraunces Tavern when the earthquake struck, 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.