Officials: 3.1 magnitude earthquake strikes just after 2 a.m. east of Freehold

The United States Geological Survey has confirmed a 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck just after 2 a.m. 1.2 miles SSE of Freehold.

News 12 Staff

Sep 9, 2020, 9:50 AM

Updated 1,318 days ago

Share:

The United States Geological Survey has confirmed a 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck just after 2 a.m. 1.2 miles SSE of Freehold.
News 12 New Jersey Meteorologist James Gregorio says the epicenter is across from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.
News 12 received emails from viewers saying they felt the earthquake in Parlin, Old Bridge, Holmdel, Manalapan, South River and Morganville.
“No reported damage out there and no resources were dispatched to any particular location in the county, but just the calls of folks wanting to know what it was and if it was an emergency,” says Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden.
The National Weather Service says it was felt much in central New Jersey and reportedly Staten Island too.
Earthquakes in New Jersey aren't exactly a common thing. According to earthquaketrack.com, there was a 1.7 magnitude earthquake about three weeks ago near Frenchtown. In June of 2019, a 2.0 magnitude earthquake hit near Brigantine, and about two months before that, a 1.8 magnitude earthquake hit near Clifton.
“It is a very uncommon advance for this particular part of the northeast,” says USGS Geophysicist Robert Sanders. “We have two other magnitude 3.0 or greater events in a 10-mile radius of this event over the past 60 years -- one in 1979 and one in 1992.”
The strongest earthquake with an epicenter in the state was back in August of 1938, when a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit outside of Trenton. Aftershocks continued for the next four days.


More from News 12
1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

2:19
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12