In a rare occurrence, a 4.8-magnitude earthquake jolted parts of New Jersey on Friday, causing the ground to shake and leaving residents in shock. The aftershocks following the initial quake have continued, with at least 29 smaller tremors being recorded in the Garden State so far.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was located near Whitehouse Station, NJ. The smaller temblors were felt in areas surrounding the epicenter, including Tewksbury and Bedminster, with some up to 13 miles away.

While the aftershocks are not unexpected, geologists have assured residents of New York City that they should not expect anything more than a light shake in the coming days. The USGS has predicted a 74% chance of additional aftershocks with a magnitude of 3 or higher over the next week, but they do not anticipate more than five occurring. There is just a 14% chance of a stronger quake, measuring a magnitude of 4 or higher, and it is likely that only one such occurrence will happen this week.

Looking ahead, the probability of a 3-plus magnitude aftershock in the next month increases to 84%, while the chance of a magnitude 4 or greater stands at 18%. The USGS has stated the near certainty, at 98%, that more aftershocks will occur in the next year.

The earthquake had a significant impact on the region, grounding flights and halting traffic in the bustling city. However, no major damage to structures, roadways, or infrastructure has been reported in New Jersey, according to Governor Phil Murphy, who announced the deactivation of the state's emergency operations center.

Although earthquakes can occur anytime and anywhere, they are a rare occurrence in New Jersey, which does not lie on an active plate boundary. However, the incident occurred near the Ramapo Fault, an ancient crack in the Earth's crust, which can be a potential site for seismic activity.

New York City officials were criticized for the delayed emergency alerts, which were received by residents 25 minutes after the earthquake struck. Some public school alerts even arrived an hour and a half later, eventually informing parents that dismissal would proceed as usual.

Friday's earthquake marks the largest seismic event in the tri-state area since 1884. In light of this, the USGS has emphasized the need for residents on the East Coast to be prepared and familiar with "drop, cover, and hold on" actions to stay safe in the event of another quake.

As the ground continues to shake with aftershocks, experts advise residents to remain cautious but not overly alarmed, as the likelihood of a significant seismic event in the near future remains relatively low.