The 4.8-magnitude earthquake that struck early on Friday morning was a clear warning that there can still be major seismic activity off the US east coast. Although the repercussions of the most recent earthquake were relatively minor, experts caution that, like the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that devastated Taiwan earlier this week, a greater earthquake may have disastrous implications on New York City and the surrounding territories.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake would have disastrous impacts on New York City. There would be a risk of building collapse, particularly for older buildings and famous sites like the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Public Library. Building collapses could result in a significant death toll due to Manhattan’s dense population, which increases during the day with commuters.
There would be serious infrastructure damage in addition to the current risks. The 1.6 million people who live in Manhattan might go days or perhaps weeks without access to clean flowing water if water mains burst. Restoring subway service, which is already under pressure, might take months. Congested roadways and overburdened infrastructure would make it difficult to carry supplies and provide emergency services. Professor of geology at Hofstra University Dr. Bret Bennington stressed that older structures are not meant to endure significant shaking, while modern skyscrapers are. Structure fires and the possibility of individuals becoming trapped in collapsing buildings are possible aftereffects.
Even though there is little chance of such an earthquake occurring in the northeast, it is still possible. The Ramapo Fault, which crosses New Jersey and enters New York, has the potential to cause large earthquakes. Even if the fault moves slowly, strain can accumulate over time and cause an earthquake—a sudden release of energy.
Even if there is little likelihood of a significant earthquake in New York City, the most recent one should serve as a warning. In this densely populated urban area, reducing the potential damage of a big earthquake requires preparation and awareness.