- In a rare occurrence, New York City experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake.
- The Ramapo Fault in the Appalachian Mountains near New Jersey is being investigated as a possible cause of this earthquake.
About the Ramapo Fault
- Fault lines are fissures in the Earth’s crust that allow tectonic plates to move and so cause earthquakes.
- The Ramapo Fault is the result of tectonic activity caused by the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea during the Mesozoic Era.
- It is largely a right-lateral strike-slip fault caused by horizontal movement along the fault line as the North American and Eurasian plates move together.
- While the Ramapo Fault is not as seismically active as other faults in the region, it has previously generated earthquakes and is still a potential source of seismic risks.
Geographical Distribution:
- The fault spans three northeastern states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
- The fault runs across a variety of geographical features, including rift valleys, hills, and ridges, highlighting the region’s rich geological history.
- It crosses with the Appalachian Mountains, altering the surrounding landscape.
Source: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2024/04/05/earthquakes-nj-science-cause-history-ramapo-fault-scale/73217244007/