Small earthquake rattles Westchester; did you feel it?

A small earthquake rattled the Westchester County community of Sleepy Hollow on Tuesday morning; there were no reports it was felt on Long Island.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 2.3 earthquake at 10:17 a.m. with a depth of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles.)

No damage or injuries have been reported. Nassau County fire officials said they had not received any reports related to the earthquake.

A 2.3 magnitude quake as measured by the Richter scale is mild and may be felt by some people in the immediate area and generally causes no damage to buildings

Small quakes can occur in the northeast, though they may not be noticed except on the Richter sale.

In 2004, a 4.8 earthquake centered in New Jersey shook New York City and could be felt on Long Island. The quake caused no damage or injuries and was followed by several aftershocks, including quakes measured at 3.8 and 2.6.

By contrast, a 4.0 to 4.9 temblor causes noticeable shaking of indoor objects and limited damage.

At 6.0, buildings could be damaged. 

The metropolitan area has an earthquake about once every couple of years, experts say. The region was struck last August by a 3.0 magnitude quake centered at Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey; it was felt on Long Island.

Since 1950, 43 other quakes of this magnitude and larger have occurred within 155 miles of that quake, according to the USGS.

A smaller, 1.7 magnitude earthquake that hit the Astoria section of Queens in January 2024 stirred residents.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.