After the New Jersey Earthquake magnitude 4.8 on April 5, 2024, the aftershock sequence is still going on. As of early Thursday afternoon, there have been a total of 134 aftershocks recorded after this main quake. They varied in strength from small ones at magnitude 0.2 to bigger shakes measuring up to a maximum of 3.7 on the Richter scale. Many seismic sensors were set up across Hunterdon and Somerset counties following the powerful quake.

The most recent aftershock, with a quite weak 1.0 magnitude, happened at around 9:07 in the morning on Thursday about 3 miles to the east of Califon located in Hunterdon County. As stated by the U.S. According to the Geological Survey who keeps track of earthquake movements, the majority of people do not feel temblors that are less than an intensity level of 2.0.

But, even these slight aftershocks are being sensed by the wide array of seismometers put up after the April 5 quake. USGS set up five more sensors in the area just right after mainshock and researchers from Rutgers and their universities have included around 100 smaller seismic stations in past weeks.

The researchers are aiming to identify the precise origin, power and length of New Jersey Earthquake. They also want to locate exactly where the first earthquake happened below ground. From data they have gathered until now, it is thought that a magnitude 4.8 quake probably started close by at or near to Ramapo Fault which goes in a diagonal line from southeastern New York state to New Jersey and into eastern Pennsylvania.

But, as per the USGS and Rutgers scientists, it is not sure if the mainshock happened right on the main Ramapo Fault or on any of its numerous smaller fissures linked to this fault system.

The number of aftershocks is gradually decreasing. Following a dynamic weekend where 22 aftershocks were identified in the Hunterdon and Somerset region, Monday saw seven new quakes, Tuesday had two more occurrences while Wednesday only experienced one; Thursday has seen just one so far by early afternoon.

The agency mentioned that aftershocks usually lessen in frequency as time passes, “though they might persist for days, weeks, months or even years for a very big mainshock.”

Roberto Masis, a Ph.D. candidate in seismology from Rutgers University, has expressed that the sequence of aftershocks of the New Jersey Earthquake might continue for a few weeks or even months. However, if another shaking happens with a magnitude that exceeds 4.8 on the Richter scale, it would be considered a fresh earthquake and not just an aftershock anymore.

“Aha, so it would basically, let us suppose, reset the sequence of earthquakes. Thus any aftershocks from that event would be associated with this one and not the initial earthquake,” detailed Masis.

“What we are not aware of is the time frame. It might occur in a month, within a year. Maybe when another 200 years pass, so it’s very difficult to predict.” This is the part about being ready all the time, even if it’s not so often. “We don’t know how frequent it could get and we don’t know when the next one is going to occur,” Masis stated.

The New Jersey Earthquake on April 5 was the strongest one to hit New Jersey since a 5.3 magnitude quake in 1783. People felt it across the Northeast from Maine to Virginia. There was minor damage to buildings in New York City, Philadelphia and Long Island with up to 150 buildings damaged in NYC alone. Four houses were partially toppled in Newark while the historic Grist Mill at Readington – which dates back from 1760 suffered damages too according to information provided by local authorities and news reports available at that time period.

While the aftershock sequence of New Jersey Earthquake goes on, researchers are still concentrating on studying the data to comprehend more about this shaking of ground and possible dangers it may bring for earthquakes in future.