An earthquake struck the east coast of the United States on Friday, causing buildings to shake in New York City.

Officials reported a quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8, centered near Lebanon, New Jersey.

It struck just before 10.30 am local time.

The Fire Department of New York said there were no initial reports of damage.

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre initially measured the quake at a magnitude of 5.5 magnitude.

Image:
An emergency alert of the magnitude 4.7 earthquake.
Pic: Reuters

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the quake was “felt throughout” the state.

Ms Hochul added: “My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.”

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Residents reported the tremor in the city including prominent US astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson who said it “lasted 20 seconds” posting on X.

Charita Walcott, a 38-year-old resident in the Bronx borough of New York, said the earthquake felt “like a violent rumble” adding: “It was kind of like being in a drum circle, that vibration.”

Earthquakes hitting the northeastern part of the US are rare, though the New York city of Buffalo experienced 3.8-magnitude tremor last February – the strongest recorded in the area in 40 years.

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