USGS: New Jersey experiences 200th aftershock since 4.8-magnitude earthquake in April

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The United States Geological Survey says a 2.2-magnitude aftershock hit Hunterdon County Wednesday morning. The aftershock was recorded around 1:44 a.m. in Califon. This was the 200th aftershock New Jersey has experienced since a 4.8-magnitude earthquake impacted Tewksbury in April. “The rocks are readjusting themselves,” says Roberto Masis Arce. Arce is a Ph.D candidate at Rutgers University. He says Wednesday’s seismic activity is a way of the earth correcting itself since the April quake. KIYC: Should New Jersey residents consider purchasing earthquake insurance? “Every time there’s a readjustment, there’s an aftershock,” Arce says. The USGS says that any activity near the location of the main earthquake that is of a lower magnitude than the original is considered an aftershock. They say it can sometimes take years to normalize. Officials with the Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management say there have been no reports of any injuries or damage by Wednesday’s aftershock. But they want residents to remain prepared. “If they’re in a vehicle, pull off to the side, put it in park, remain in the vehicle. If they’re indoors, we want them to stay indoors. If they’re outdoors when an earthquake hits, we want to get as far away from a structure and into open space as we can,” says Brandon Fahey, with Hunterdon County OEM. The 4.8 earthquake in April was the strongest earthquake New Jersey had seen in more than a century. It was felt as far away as New York and Connecticut. "