The New York City Earthquake of 1884.

[N2NH]

Nearly 130 years ago, New York City was jolted by a large earthquake (by East Coast Standards).

New York City isn’t immune to earthquakes; a couple of small tremors measuring about 2.5 on the Richter scale even struck back in 2001 and 2002.

But on August 10, 1884, a more powerful earthquake hit. Estimated from 4.9 to 5.5 in magnitude, the tremor made houses shake, chimneys fall, and residents wonder what the heck was going on, according to a New York Times article two days later.

The quake was subsequently thought to have been centered off Far Rockaway or Coney Island.

Will Fun City shake again?

The New York City Earthquake of 1884.

Quakes in the NY Metro Area.

[NQ6U]

Estimated from 4.9 to 5.5 in magnitude

Almost strong enough to make a Californian look up from his morning coffee.

Will Fun City shake again?

Yep. In fact, it's more likely to happen in NYC than it is in San Diego.

[kb2vxa]

Come over baby whole lot of shakin' goin' on. Yes, I said come over baby, baby you can't go wrong. We ain't fakin', whole lot of shakin' goin' on.

[N2NH]

Almost strong enough to make a Californian look up from his morning coffee.

Yep. In fact, it's more likely to happen in NYC than it is in San Diego.

The problem isn't the magnitude. We had a quake in Quebec that shook us at about a 5, it's the old style buildings that will crack like an egg. The average building is brick and mortar and will literally fall apart in seconds if it goes over a 5. They'll have at least a 5 if things go as they have and they are overdue by 2 decades at this point. The longer it takes, the stronger the quake will likely be.

[NQ6U]

The problem isn't the magnitude. We had a quake in Quebec that shook us at about a 5, it's the old style buildings that will crack like an egg. The average building is brick and mortar and will literally fall apart in seconds if it goes over a 5. They'll have at least a 5 if things go as they have and they are overdue by 2 decades at this point. The longer it takes, the stronger the quake will likely be.

All true. In California, we've had seismic safety requirements in the building codes for decades now, including mandatory retrofitting for older public buildings. As new data comes in after a major 'quake, the codes are revised and, as a result, we're in a better position to withstand a shaking than the east coast. Things still fall down during earthquakes but not as many before.

[N2NH]

All true. In California, we've had seismic safety requirements in the building codes for decades now, including mandatory retrofitting for older public buildings. As new data comes in after a major 'quake, the codes are revised and, as a result, we're in a better position to withstand a shaking than the east coast. Things still fall down during earthquakes but not as many before.

All very good ideas. They have belatedly implemented similar codes here now, but few buildings actually have them. I'd hate to see what happens to the Subways. Most are cut and cover tunnels which means they afford little protection as many are just under the street. Those that don't collapse will probably become tombs.

One other consideration, one which affects me even if I don't live there anymore. Unlike West Coast quakes, quakes east of the Mississippi River tend to be felt hundreds of miles away. I actually felt the Cheesequake, NJ earthquake miles away in Harlem, upper Manhattan. That has to be 30 to 40 miles away and it was a 3.5 IIRC. I've heard that some fairly big earthquakes in Calif
aren't felt a mile or so away.

[NQ6U]

I've heard that some fairly big earthquakes in Calif
aren't felt a mile or so away.

A bit of exaggeration but not completely wrong. It's true that the geology here does tend to absorb the energy of an earthquake. For instance, I wasn't even aware of the two that hit here this morning even though they were only a hundred miles away. On the other hand, I sure did feel the one that hit on Easter Sunday a couple of years ago, which was farther away but much more powerful.

[N2NH]

A bit of exaggeration but not completely wrong. It's true that the geology here does tend to absorb the energy of an earthquake. For instance, I wasn't even aware of the two that hit here this morning even though they were only a hundred miles away. On the other hand, I sure did feel the one that hit on Easter Sunday a couple of years ago, which was farther away but much more powerful.

I can't imagine how you do it. I wasn't thrilled about the little bump we got from Cheesequake, NJ back in '79 and that was a pop-gun compared to a Super Nova when those big quakes hit there.

[kb2vxa]

"I actually felt the Cheesequake, NJ earthquake miles away in Harlem, upper Manhattan."

In NJ they're Cheesequakes, across the border they're earthquakes. The last one started out as an earthquake that rocked Virginia but here it was a... you guessed it... Cheesequake. In fact the industrial counties in the NYC metro area smell like Limburger. This is the Garden State so draw your own conclusions.

[W7XF]

Ya sure it wasn't the Harlem Shake??