Sponsor
  • You Can Be in a Hud Indy Ad Too
  • Donate to The Hudson Independent
Community News

Earthquake Ripples Through the Rivertowns: Not the First and Probably Not the Last

• Bookmarks: 64 • Comments: 1


May 19, 2023

By Barrett Seaman—

According to the U. S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.2 earthquake, centered near the border of Hastings-on-Hudson and Yonkers, was felt—at least by some residents—a few minutes before 2:00 a.m. Friday, May 19.

Sponsor
  • Support The Indy - Year-End Ask
  • Work for The Hud Indy

To be sure, 2.2 is not much of a bang, Richter Scale-wise, but it does indicate that there are fault lines in the Hudson Valley that have produced earthquakes in the past and will probably do so again in the future.

The epicenter of Friday’s quake was not far from the site of 4.4 quake in 1985 whose fault line ran westward from Greenburgh and intersected with the Hudson near Wickers Creek in Dobbs Ferry. Rivertown residents at the time recalled a big bang that knocked paintings and mirrors from the walls but no serious structural damage. It was, however, felt as far away as Philadelphia, southern Canada and Long Island.


Did You Feel The Earthquake?

See our survey results…


According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “Earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains can cause noticeable ground shaking at much farther distances than comparably-sized earthquakes in the West.” Again, according to USGS, Lamont-Doherty detected 21 quakes in Westchester between 1970 and 1987.

Of particular concern have been tremors near the Indian Point nuclear power plant that sits astride “the previously unidentified intersection of two active seismic zones.” One of them, the Ramapo Seismic Zone, passes within a mile or two northwest of Indian Point.

The vast majority of these events come in at three or less on the Richter Scale. The last “biggie” in the Hudson Valley was back in 1783 and measured 5.3, located somewhere along the Westchester/Putnam border.

From Lamont-Doherty:

All known quakes, greater New York-Philadelphia area, 1677-2004, graded by magnitude (M). Peekskill, N.Y., near Indian Point nuclear power plant, is denoted as Pe.:

 

Quakes located by instruments 1974-2007. Arrows indivcate the Peekskill-Stamford seismic line and Ramapo seismic zone (RSZ), which intersect near Indian Point. Purple numerals indicate distance in kilometers:

 

Results of the survey – 104 submissions:

Did you feel or hear it?
46% Yes – 54% No

If you were asleep, did it wake you?
28% Yes  –  46% No  –  (27% Not Asleep)

Are you aware that there are fault lines right here in the rivertowns?
55% Yes  –  15% No  –  30% No, but I am now

 

Read or leave a comment on this story...


Sponsor
Andrea Martone - Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow real estate agent

Local Boys Basketball Squads Aiming to Show Improvement

By Tom Pedulla--- The Hudson Independent previews the local boys’ basketball season. Here is the outlook for each team: DOBBS...
Read More

Fatality at Broadway and McKeel Avenue Highlights Longstanding Risks for Tarrytown Pedestrians

By Barrett Seaman-- Nelida Distante, 82, of West Elizabeth Street in Tarrytown was crossing North Broadway at its intersection with...
Read More

Negative Declaration Issued for Apartment Plan Near Tarrytown Train Station

By Rick Pezzullo A multi-family rental project proposed at 29 South Depot Plaza in Tarrytown took a major step forward...
Read More

Al Schnier Reflects on His Life, Career and moe.’s Upcoming Shows at The Capitol Theatre

By W.B. King-- When Al Schnier thinks back to an early August evening in 1997, the phrase “imposter syndrome” comes...
Read More

“No Shave November” Raises Cancer Research Money in Honor of the Late Detective Dave Walsh

Some Irvington police officers were looking a little scruffy during the month of November. Others looked rather dashing. By month’s...
Read More

Marry a Character

MARRY A CHARACTER: Exploring Fictosexuality in a Lonely Trilogy By Krista Madsen– Anyone on a dating app these days can tell you...
Read More

Only the Lonely

ONLY THE LONELY: The epidemic and the ambassador By Krista Madsen– Dr. Ruth Westheimer, cute and candid sex therapist many of us...
Read More

Community Food Pantry Helps Residents in Need Year-Round

By Rick Pezzullo---  Two weeks before Thanksgiving, 410 families received a robust bag of groceries and a $20 gift certificate...
Read More

Racing Day In The Rivertowns

By Barrett Seaman— Blessed with a crisp, clear Autumn day, the annual pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot races in Tarrytown and Irvington...
Read More

Mt. Pleasant Grapples With Sleepy Hollow Voting Rights Charge

By Barrett Seaman-- The public seating area at a hearing held on Thursday, November 16 before the Mt. Pleasant Town...
Read More
64 recommended
1 notes
964 views
bookmark icon