‘Microearthquake’ occurred early Thursday in South Jersey

Public domain image.

Public domain image.

A minimal earthquake occurred in South Jersey early Thursday morning,

According to the United States Geological Survey, the 1.7 magnitude earthquake happened shortly before 12:30 a.m. near the Leisuretowne section of Burlington County’s Southampton.

That’s about 30 minutes west of Barnegat Township in Ocean County.

A microearthquake, classified as a very low intensity seismic event at 2.0 magnitude or less, is rarely felt.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

There were no reports of damage or injuries from the Thursday morning earthquake.

The last earthquake felt in New Jersey happened last November.

The 4.1 magnitude earthquake was centered near Dover, Delaware and felt along the Jersey Shore and beyond.

In August 2011, a 5.8 earthquake rattled most of the Eastern seaboard.

The Jersey Shore didn’t experience any major structural damage, but residents reported items falling in the houses, and managers of some commercial and government buildings didn’t take any chances and ordered evacuations.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal