Earthquake strikes New Jersey, New York; another one in Russia triggers volcanic eruption after 600 years

New York and New Jersey were hit by a 3.0 magnitutude earthquake on late Saturday. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake hit about 6 miles beneath the ground in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, the epicentre. This is the second earthquake in the area in less than two weeks. 

The quake, which ranks low on the Richter scale, was still felt around 65 miles away, CBS News reported.   

Residents around Jersey City, Bergen, Morris, Essex Counties and New York reported that they felt the rumbling in the city. There were no reported damages, but aftershocks may occur for the next few days.         

According to geologists, the New York and New Jersey regions experience numerous tiny earthquakes every year, but they usually go unnoticed.

Last year in April, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake, about 20 times stronger than the one this year, hit New York City. The quake was also closer to the surface and was felt by 42 million people. Damages were also reported in homes. 

The quakes both happened at the Ramapo fault line, which produces several minor quakes a year.                          

Social media users posted memes and jokes reporting the incident, with one user saying, “ Earthquake in New Jersey and I didn't sleep through it this time “ 

Volcano which lay dormant for 600 years erupts in Russia after earthquake

In Russia, a powerful earthquake is said to have triggered the eruption of the  Krasheninnikov volcano that has been dormant for the past 600 years.

"This is the first historical eruption of the Krasheninnikov volcano in 600 years," said Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) to a news agency, RIA. 

The crack and the formation of the a lava dome, followed by powerful steam and gas activity, were recorded on the slope, according to her. Girina said that the eruption may be related to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Kamchatka, which happened on July 30. The earthquake had also caused a tsunami wave that went up to 4 metres high in the region. 

The area situated along the path of the ash emission and plume of the volcano has no settlements or tourist spots. 

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