A small 2.9 magnitude earthquake shook New Jersey on Saturday morning, causing residents to recall the more powerful 4.8 quake that struck the region just three weeks ago. The earthquake occurred near Tewksbury at approximately 9:49 a.m., as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Located in Hunterdon County, about 35 miles west of New York City, Tewksbury experienced seismic activity that raised questions regarding whether it was an aftershock from the April 5 earthquake. The previous event, centered near Whitehouse Station, approximately five miles south of Tewksbury, caused widespread tremors felt as far as Washington D.C. and Maine.

Ashley Papa, a local resident and Fox News Digital editor, described feeling the house shake strongly during Saturday's earthquake. She recounted the rumbling sound that resembled the previous quake, making her recognize the seismic activity. Over 130 aftershocks have been recorded in the region since April 5, highlighting the continuing impact of the initial earthquake.

The unexpected frequency and intensity of these aftershocks have left residents shocked and concerned. Many believed that such occurrences would not repeat for at least a century. Papa expressed her apprehension, questioning the ongoing seismic activity and wondering about its underlying cause. Additionally, she noted the distress experienced by her dog, now fearful from the quakes.

East Coast earthquakes are rare, with the most powerful one in the past century striking in August 2011. This 5.8 magnitude earthquake was centered in Virginia and caused tremors from Washington D.C. to Boston. The recent quakes follow a minor 1.7 magnitude earthquake in New York City on January 2.

Professor John Ebel, a seismologist at Boston College, revealed that earthquakes above 5.0 on the Richter scale typically occur once every 120 years. Despite the challenge of predicting earthquakes, Ebel cautioned that the recent seismic activity has raised concerns about the possibility of a more damaging earthquake happening in the future. The April 5 earthquake's occurrence outside of the expected Ramapo Fault zone has left seismologists perplexed regarding prediction methods.

As residents of New Jersey remain on edge, experts continue to monitor the situation while highlighting the unpredictable nature of earthquakes. The recent events serve as a reminder of the potential for significant seismic activity along the East Coast, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and ongoing research in understanding and predicting earthquakes.