New England Shaken: 3.8 Magnitude Quake Sparks Talk of Possible Aftershocks

On Monday, a 3.8 magnitude earthquake rattled parts of New England, particularly felt by residents near Appledore Island, situated close to the epicenter. As cameras from the Shoals Marine Laboratory captured the vibrations, experts began to assess the potential for aftershocks following this seismic event. John Ebel, a senior research scientist at Weston Observatory, noted that while the earthquake wasn’t classified as large, it still opens the door for possible aftershocks. According to Ebel, the larger the initial quake, the larger the window of time during which aftershocks may occur. For earthquakes of this magnitude, he indicated the likelihood of aftershocks remains, although the chances decline over time from the primary event. As described by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), aftershocks are minor earthquakes that follow the main quake and are part of the geological process of readjustment after the fault has shifted. In the case of the York Harbor tremor, the USGS estimates a slim 9 percent chance for an aftershock of magnitude 3.0 or higher, suggesting most aftershocks—if they materialize—will be too weak for residents to feel. "Typically, there are aftershocks with earthquakes, even in New England, but they'll likely stay at or slightly below the threshold for people to feel the shake," explained a USGS representative. Sophie Coulson, an assistant professor of Earth Science at the University of New Hampshire, acknowledged that aftershocks tend to be weaker than the initial event, which means any potential aftershocks following the recent quake are expected to register below a 3.8 magnitude. She emphasized that while smaller tremors could occur in the coming days, they would likely be imperceptible to most individuals. Geology professor Tasha Dunn from Colby College added that the Northeast frequently experiences minor earthquakes that are challenging to distinguish from aftershocks of a larger quake. "It's really difficult to differentiate them," Dunn stated, reinforcing that the region often sees a background level of seismic activity. During the initial quake, Coulson's students experienced minor disturbances in their lecture hall, as projectors shook and pictures shifted on the walls. Most students reported feeling the tremor, illustrating that even moderate quakes can have a palpable effect in this area. Ebel further explained that due to the infrequency of seismic activity in New England, local scientists can monitor and analyze aftershocks more effectively than in more seismically active regions like California. He pointed to the Norumbega Fault Zone, believed by some experts to be linked to the York Harbor quake, although Ebel speculated that the epicenter may be located offshore in a historically active region that has seen earthquakes since the 1970s. Despite the presence of ancient faults—some dating back over 400 million years—scientists have yet to confirm their activity. Ebel expressed his belief in the potential for active fault lines in the Newburyport area, underscoring the enduring mysteries that surround the geological landscape of New England. As the region comes to terms with the recent seismic event, residents are left pondering the implications of potential aftershocks while experts continue to study the intricate dynamics of this relatively quiet seismic zone.