In this illustration, a phone shows an Emergency Alert message on April 5, 2024, warning of an earthquake in New York. New York City was shaken by a small earthquake on Friday with a 4.8 magnitude and an epicenter in neighboring New Jersey, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). There were no initial reports of injuries or damage. In Brooklyn buildings shook, rattling cupboard doors and fixtures, an AFP correspondent reported.
(Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 hit New York City and the surrounding area at 10:23 a.m. on Friday morning. It was also felt across Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. 

The earthquake comes just days after Taiwan was devastated after enduring the strongest earthquake in over two decades, leaving nine people dead and over 800 injured. 

According to Northeastern Global News, damaging seismic activity on the east coast is extremely rare, with the last significant event occurring back in 2011 near Richmond, Virginia, measuring at 5.8.

In 2024, the east coast remains dangerously underprepared for seismic events, and if an earthquake hits hard enough, there would certainly be a large shortage of resources. 

RELATED: BREAKING: 4.8 Earthquake Rattles New York, New Jersey

Northeastern professor and co-director at the Global Resilience Institute Daniel Aldrich also shared concern for the lack of preparedness. 

"With the exception of San Francisco, we are very unprepared for earthquakes in North America," Aldrich began. "In Australia and New Zealand, individual buildings have been raided to make sure they are earthquake-proof."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 5: A television screen at News Corp Headquarters displays the breaking news of a 4.8 magnitude earthquake on April 5, 2024 in New York City. There were no reported injuries in the late morning earthquake, but many people reported visible shaking in buildings and homes. Tremors were felt from Philadelphia to Boston.
(Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

"To what degree is it safe to stay in your house after an earthquake in the four, five or six magnitude range? We have no idea. Again, here in North America most of us aren't thinking about that," he said.

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The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) released a full scale explanation detailing what to do if you find yourself in an earthquake and don't know what to do. 

Get to cover. Drop down to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on to your shelter. Find shelter underneath a table or desk and stay put until the rumbling stops. You may need to move along with your shelter if necessary. Do not let it go. 

Contrary to belief, it's safer to stay indoors when an earthquake strikes. If you are inside, stay inside, the CDC suggests. You're less likely to be injured if you stay where you are. If possible, move away from glass bookcases, china, or anything that can fall over. Steer clear of bricks, wall fixtures, and cabinets. 

See more about how to stay safe during earthquakes here. 

Tags: earthquake new jersey stay safe earthquake safety Earthquake Survival