On the morning of April 5, a rare 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck the East Coast, with its epicenter near Lebanon, New Jersey, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred just before 10:30 a.m. local time, and it was followed by an apparent aftershock felt widely in New Jersey and New York City around 6 p.m.

The powerful quake affected over 42 million people, causing shaking to be felt in major cities such as New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia, as well as areas in between, as reported by The Weather Channel. The impact was also felt as far north as Maine and as far south as Norfolk, Virginia, according to the USGS.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams assured residents that while there were concerns about aftershocks, they should continue with their normal routines as first responders worked to ensure the city's safety. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano confirmed that City Hall experienced shaking, but no injuries were reported.

Emergency phone alerts advised residents to remain indoors and contact 911 if injured, as an initial 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported by the USGS, later adjusted to 4.7 before being revised back to 4.8. The agency noted that earthquakes along the Atlantic Coast are uncommon but not unheard of.

NBC News highlighted that this earthquake was the strongest to hit the state of New Jersey in almost 250 years and marked the strongest earthquake on the East Coast since a 5.8-magnitude quake struck Virginia in 2011. The USGS reported a few minor aftershocks, with the largest having a magnitude of 2.2 near the initial earthquake's epicenter.

Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Phil Murphy of New Jersey activated emergency centers, urging residents to avoid calling 911 unless facing an actual emergency. While limited damage was reported across New Jersey, including Lebanon, concerns about potential aftershocks lingered, with authorities warning that they could continue for the next week.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the earthquake and assured that his team was monitoring potential impacts. He spoke with Governor Murphy, who expressed confidence that the situation was under control.

The earthquake also caused disruptions to travel in New York City and New Jersey. Flights in the New York metro area were temporarily grounded, and the Holland Tunnel was closed for inspection, causing delays of up to 45 minutes at New York City's LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport in New Jersey.

Even celebrities felt the impact, with stars like Busy Philipps and Jessica Chastain sharing their experiences on social media platforms. Chastain expressed concern for everyone's well-being and hoped that buildings were not damaged.

As the affected region assesses the aftermath of this rare earthquake, experts will continue monitoring for potential aftershocks and evaluating any damage caused by the seismic event.