Another aftershock rocked New Jersey Saturday morning, one of more than 130 smaller tremors following the April 5 earthquake that affected an estimated 42 million people.
The 2.9-magnitude aftershock’s epicenter was about three miles from Gladstone in Somerset County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake happened around 9:49 a.m., data shows.
It was unclear Sunday if any towns in the area reported damage from the aftershock.
The aftershock was about 10 miles from the epicenter of the original 4.8 magnitude earthquake, which was about 4.3 miles north of the Whitehouse Station section of Readington Township in Hunterdon County.
Experts say aftershocks, smaller earthquakes following stronger ones, can potentially last months. They’ve continued to register in New Jersey in recent weeks, but their frequency has waned.
Seven new ones were reported on Monday, followed by two on Tuesday and one on both Wednesday and Thursday. The aftershock on Thursday registered as about a 1.0-magnitude quake.
More quake-reading technology has been scattered across parts of New Jersey close to where this month’s first quake was recorded. With the added tools, researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and Rutgers University hope to pinpoint the source, strength and duration of recent aftershocks while better identifying where the first quake originated.
Researchers believe the initial quake happened near the Ramapo fault, which runs diagonally from southeastern New York State across northern New Jersey and into eastern Pennsylvania. It’s been unclear, researchers say, whether the quake occurred directly along the main part of the fault or on one of the many fissures connected to it.
Staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
