🌎 1.1-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes North Jersey
A 1.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Chester on Saturday afternoon. The United States Geological Survey reported the tremor occurred about seven miles underground, and there were no reports of injuries or property damage.
CHESTER, NJ — August 22, 2026 — A small earthquake was recorded in North Jersey Saturday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The 1.1-magnitude earthquake occurred at approximately 3:50 p.m., with an epicenter located just under 4 miles southwest of Chester. The quake was estimated to have occurred at a depth of approximately 7 miles beneath the surface.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage associated with the earthquake.
🔎 New Jersey’s Recent Seismic Activity
The latest tremor comes amid continued interest in earthquake activity across New Jersey following the magnitude 4.8 earthquake on April 5, 2024, which was felt across much of the region.
A recently published study examining the 2024 earthquake and its aftershocks concluded that the event likely involved a previously unmapped fault in the New Jersey Highlands, now designated as the Mountainville Fault.
Researchers analyzed aftershock data, field mapping, friction experiments and stress patterns to investigate the source of the 2024 earthquake and subsequent seismic activity.
While Saturday’s earthquake was significantly smaller than the 2024 event, it serves as another reminder that earthquakes, while uncommon in New Jersey, do occur.
📍 GSNN will continue monitoring seismic activity and will provide additional updates if officials report any impacts.
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