Scientists eye LI quake, but don't expect aftershocks

The Tuesday earthquake in deep waters off the South Shore may have rattled the nerves of Long Islanders but was likely too small to produce any related temblors, according to Stony Brook University geology professor Daniel Davis.

"We're keeping a loose eye open, but to be honest . . . this isn't the type of event to really expect a lot of aftershocks," Davis said Tuesday.

Around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, the 3.9-magnitude earthquake struck in the Atlantic Ocean nearly 100 miles southeast of the Island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was at a depth of 4.1 miles, according to government scientists.

Davis said the earthquake has yet to be fully analyzed by seismologists. "Down the line, we're going to be curious to look in detail at the seismic records," he said.

The earthquake did not appear to be centered on a known fault and occurred underneath thousands of feet of sediment, experts said.

The quake was likely caused by pressure built up over time causing a rupture about a half-mile long.The New York region is considered geologically stable, unlike earthquake-prone areas such as California or Haiti, where tectonic plates meet.